Pep Guardiola: Man City boss wants to help Phil Foden back to best form

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to help Phil Foden return to prime form after the midfielder spoke about struggling on and off the pitch.

Foden, 24, said off-field issues and an ankle injury suffered against Manchester United in April contributed to him being below his best and he wants to get his head "mentally right".

"It's true, Phil said that and of course he has not been [at his best]," said Guardiola.

"[He hasn't been at his best] not [just] for him, all of us, his family, for us - he's a baby boy from the academy and become a star with us.

"We want to help him, that's the most important thing. He needs rest and it's going to happen now after Sunday."

City end a disappointing season with a trip to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 16:00 BST), knowing a point should clinch Champions League football for next season.

On Friday, Foden was left out of England manager Thomas Tuchel's squad for games against Andorra and Senegal in early June.

Tuchel said Foden needs time to recover from his ankle injury and to "re-find the joy in his game".

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