Fans have Phil Foden conspiracy theory as Man City star benched by Pep Guardiola again for Newcastle clash

MANCHESTER CITY fans are resorting to conspiracy theories after Phil Foden’s latest snub.

Last season’s PFA Player of the Year was again just a sub in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

AFP

Pep Guardiola only used Phil Foden as a sub again vs Newcastle[/caption]

Three of the England winger’s six Premier League appearances this term have now come off the bench.

Foden came on midway through the second period at St James Park, with both sides looking hungry to bag a winner.

The 41-cap star saw plenty of the ball – with ALL his touches being in the Newcastle half.

But City had to settle for a point – their second Prem stalemate in a  row after opening the campaign with four victories.

Josko Gvardiol fired a neat opener for Pep Guardiola‘s men on 35 minutes.

But Anthony Gordon won and converted the Magpies’ point-saver soon after the break.

City were already reeling from confirmation that star anchorman Rodri will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

And many fans reckon there’s much more to the matter than just form or tactics.

Foden came on for the third time this season at St James Park

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There’s even a growing belief that boss Guardiola has a mystery problem with the 24-year-old.

One supporter posted: “Something is really going on at City, because I still don’t understand why Foden isn’t starting. I don’t understand.”

Foden had plenty of the ball in attacking positions after coming on

Another wrote: “There is something going on between Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola that we don’t know about. From winning Premier League Player of the Year to rotting on the City bench.”

A third said: “Why isn’t Foden starting? I don’t know what is going on with him and Pep but he must have done something.”

A fourth even suggested Foden was gradually getting starved of action like Riyad Mahrez – before the Algerian playmaker left for Saudi club Al-Ahli in July 2023.

That supporter pondered: “Foden’s getting the Mahrez treatment now? What’s going on?” 

Another posted: “Some weirdness going on with Foden. Not right. Either p**** Pep off or he is in trouble himself.”

Overall, “What’s going on?” was the dominant refrain from City followers.

And maybe only Guardiola knows the full answer to that – unless you believe some of the conspiracy theorists…