Man City's Premier League title defence is over, says Phil Foden

Phil Foden netted twice to put City in control against the Bees on Tuesday, but they collapsed late in the game, with Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard earning a point for the home side. Sixth-placed City are languishing 12 points behind leaders Liverpool and Foden conceded they will have to focus on finishing in the top four rather than winning another title.

"The title? Yeah, yeah, it's done for sure, it's done," the England forward said. "We know. We're not stupid. So we've got to aim for top four, that's the next target now and then obviously Champions League as well. So it's not as if the season has gone. But we've got to be realistic, haven't we? The performances have not been good enough to get up there.

"The top four is our aim now and then see where we can be in the other trophies. We can't dwell on it. We've got to try and aim for the top four now and make things right." City are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the battle to qualify for next season's Champions League. Foden said City are trying to learn the lessons of their dismal decline, which has come as a huge shock to Pep Guardiola's team after a dynastic run of six titles in seven seasons.

"Like you said, I've not been in this situation before where I've lost this many games and been in this situation," said Foden, whose side return to action at struggling Ipswich on Sunday. The 2023 treble winners also face a vital Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on January 22, with their place in the last 16 far from assured. "It's a learning curve and it's just about how you get back to your best, not just me, but the team as well. And how we come back from this," Foden said.

 

January 15, 2025