Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany feels that Phil Foden is at risk of being benched by Pep Guardiola for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden was regarded by many as one of the world's best players after recording a career-best 27 goals and 12 assists for Man City last season, and he was subsequently named the Premier League and PFA Player of the Year.
However, the 24-year-old struggled to replicate his exceptional form at international level with England at Euro 2024 and has since failed to reach the heights expected for Man City this term.
Indeed, Foden has contributed with just one goal and one assist in 14 Premier League appearances for the Citizens so far this season and has only found the net four times in total across 21 outings in all competitions.
The versatile midfielder is one of many players within Guardiola's squad who has seen his form significantly dip this season, which has ultimately contributed to Man City's alarming decline.
Sitting sixth in the Premier League table and four points behind the top four at the halfway stage, Man City will endeavour to win back-to-back games for the first time since October when they face West Ham on home soil this weekend, after beating Leicester City 2-0 in their final match of 2024.
Foden out, McAtee in for Man City against West Ham?
Foden started on the right flank against Leicester, but he struggled to put his stamp on the game and was replaced just after the hour mark by James McAtee, who impressed as a substitute and played a key role in City's second goal scored by Erling Haaland.
McInerney has suggested that Foden could be taken out of the startling lineup against West Ham, while Kevin De Bruyne may also make way as City continue to manage his minutes, with McAtee pushing to start his first Premier League match of the campaign.
"I think there's a good chance Phil Foden might be on the bench in this game," McInerney told Sports Mole. "Even though I do feel McAtee probably should still just get half an hour here and there, I think Pep might be tempted to start him, simply because Phil's form isn't great.
"McAtee took the chance he was given against Leicester and [the game against West Ham] is at home, which is a reasonably comfortable place to play, so I think that might be the surprise that McAtee comes in for one of De Bruyne or Phil Foden.
"I suspect it might actually be De Bruyne because I'm not sure if he's going to start again...It could be that De Bruyne and Foden both sit out and McAtee and [Ilkay] Gundogan comes in".
McInerney has admitted that he would be "amazed" if there are several changes made to Guardiola's starting lineup following the much-needed win at Leicester, with a back four of Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol potentially remaining intact, while the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Savinho and Haaland all retain their places.
Bowen absence is "great news" for Man City
West Ham will be without captain and star attacker Jarrod Bowen, who fractured his foot in the heavy 5-0 defeat to leaders Liverpool last week. The news of his absence comes as a "massive blow" for Julen Lopetegui's side and is a huge boost for Man City in the eyes of McInerney.
"That's great news for Man City and terrible news for West Ham," said McInerney. "That's a massive blow for them. Bowen is only being at a certain club away from being labelled as an elite player, he's brilliant.
"He's just at West Ham where his work maybe doesn't get recognised. He's consistently brilliant, he affects games all the time, he's a smart runner, versatile, has been playing as a striker for West Ham recently when they've needed him. He's absolutely brilliant [and it's] a massive blow for them."
"West Ham have still got quality, don't get me wrong," McInerney added." [Lucas] Paqueta is a player obviously City really wanted to sign, but that famously fell through for reasons off the pitch.
"[Mohammed] Kudus, of course, scored a wonderful goal last season (against Man City). It counted for nothing in the end, but they've still got a lot of experience there, even without Jarrod Bowen. You've still got to take them seriously.
"I suspect West Ham will be one of the only teams that come to City, recently, and actually sit back and defend. Most teams have stopped doing that, but I don't really think West Ham know how to take the game to Man City... They're not in a great place mentally and I think that could play right into Pep Guardiola's hands."
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion ahead of Man City's Premier League clash with West Ham. body check tags ::
