PHIL FODEN wants talks with England and Manchester City over his summer plans – as he feels he needs a break.
The Etihad favourite revealed he has been nursing an ankle ligament injury in recent weeks which has affected his form.
He also admitted the mental issues which he spoke about earlier in the campaign due to off-the-field problems are still affecting him.
Foden has ten goals and six assists in 44 appearances across all competitions this season.
It is a stark drop off from the 40 goal involvements that saw him crowned PFA, Football Writers’ and Premier League player of the year last term.
Foden was an unused sub against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
City round off their disappointing league campaign against Fulham on Sunday.
But the season is far from over.
Thomas Tuchel is due to name his squad on Friday for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra and the friendly with Senegal.
For City and Chelsea players, that camp will be swiftly followed by preparations for the Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s side are involved in the 32-team tournament, with their opening match on June 18 and the final on July 13.
Should City go all the way, they will play seven matches in the United States.
The final is just 34 days before the 2025-26 Premier League season gets underway, with a record-breaking bumper next summer.
So Foden needs a chat to work out how to navigate the next weeks as he battles the ankle issues while on the brink of burnout amid football’s relentless schedule.
The six-time Premier League champion – who was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2024 final last summer – said: “It’s been difficult.
“I picked up an ankle injury against United in early April and it’s taken time to heal. It was a bad ligament damage to the ankle.
“It took a while to heal before I can push myself back in training, I had to look after it.
“Obviously it’s a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner.
“It’s something we have to speak with the club and national team to see maybe if it’s better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 per cent back how I want it.
“I just don’t know at the moment, it’s a conversation to be had and we’ll see what happens.
“I need a few weeks off it without playing football and obviously I can’t get it at the moment.”;;
Foden candidly opened up on the injury being another negative note on what has been a “frustrating”;; season with his struggles on and off the pitch.
But he will hope to hit the ground running in 2025-26 – as he looks to fill Kevin De Bruyne’s boots and break into the Three Lions’ starting XI for the World Cup.
Foden added:He added: “It’s been a frustrating season for me. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally.
“It’s one of them, sometimes there’s things in life that are bigger than football.
“This season I’ve struggled a little bit. Hopefully come next year I can get my head mentally right, get back where I left the season before.
“I know what I’m capable of doing and the quality I have. And I know if everything was okay I’d definitely be better on the field.
“Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on.
Unfortunately I’ve had a difficult season.
“Now it’s just about improving and getting back to my best. I know my standards and what I can reach. I’m looking forward to getting back.”;;
He added: “A lot of people don’t know what football players have to go through and play with. I’ve had a lot of ankle pain and playing with it in the last couple of months.
“Some people don’t see what we go through, it’s frustrating for me because I know it’s been hard to get it right.
“You need time for it to heal but me being me I just love to come back on the football pitch as soon as possible. Maybe I’ve come back too early for my liking. But it’s what I’m like.”;;
