Why is Phil Foden not playing for Man City? English star on the bench

Pep Guardiola surprised many with his team announcement ahead of the test at Crystal Palace after Foden’s midweek hat-trick.

Manchester City face Crystal Palace in the early Saturday Premier League game with three points imperative for City’s title ambitions with the Sky Blues involved in a three way tussle for the title with Liverpool and Arsenal.

Foden was the star player in City’s last outing with the English international bagging a hat-trick last Wednesday as Guardiola’s side brushed Aston Villa aside in a game where Norwegian star striker Erling Haaland was on the bench.

Today at Selhurst Park, it’s Foden’s turn to take a breather in a decision that is entirely tactical as Guardiola looks to rotate his squad with the first leg of the Champions League coming up on Tuesday as City travel to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid.

Foden was also in action for England recently as the ‘Three Lions’ faced both Brazil and Belgium at Wembley Stadium with the City player starting both games for Gareth Southgate.