Paul Merson cannot understand why Pep Guardiola is not starting one of his key stars at Man City ahead of their trip to Brighton at the weekend.
Following a positive start to the season against Wolves, a contest where Tijjani Reijnders caught everyone’s attention, City were convincingly beaten by Tottenham last time out and cannot afford to lose back-to-back games when they travel to Brighton.
Guardiola has received some good news ahead of the Manchester club’s match with the Seagulls, as Rayan Ait-Nouri is likely to be fit for the contest after picking up a knock against Spurs.
It remains to be seen if the left-back starts on Sunday, but there is a player Merson thinks should definitely be on the team sheet, with the pundit failing to understand why he hasn’t been playing so far.
Paul Merson wants to see Phil Foden start for Manchester City vs Brighton
Last season was a very underwhelming one for Phil Foden as the midfielder struggled for form and had a lot of things off the pitch to deal with.
Foden appeared much happier at the FIFA Club World Cup, and there has been optimism at Man City that the midfielder will return to his best throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
The Englishman received 15 minutes of action against Tottenham, and ahead of Man City’s trip to Brighton, Merson says he cannot understand why the 25-year-old isn’t playing, while predicting a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
“I was flabbergasted by Manchester City last weekend. I’ve seen City lose football matches in the past, but that was a really poor performance. Thomas Frank’s tactics were on point, and City had no answer,” the pundit told Sportskeeda.
“I don’t think anyone in that City front-line, apart from Erling Haaland of course, are clinical finishers. Never been convinced by Jeremy Doku from the day he signed for Manchester City. They have to bring Phil Foden back into the mix. I cannot understand why he isn’t playing in that team.
“City look too open at the back as well. When Rodri is at his 100 per cent, it will be different. But Nico Gonzalez is really struggling in that role at the moment. Brighton have the kind of pace that can hurt City. I expect them to get a result here.”
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Why Phil Foden has not been playing for Man City this season
There is a clear reason why Foden has not played much for Man City so far this season, and it is a result of the midfielder being injured.
The 25-year-old missed Man City’s pre-season friendly with Palermo and their opening match of the Premier League season with Wolves, before Guardiola confirmed last week that Foden would be fit to play some part against Tottenham.
Merson should know this, and he will likely get his wish this weekend, as Foden has a strong chance of starting against Brighton now that he is back to full fitness.
The Man City star, who Virgil van Dijk was once labelled as “unbelievable”, should start most weeks for Guardiola this season, and if he can get the midfielder back to his 2023/24 levels, the Manchester club will have a chance of winning the Premier League.
