Phil Foden’s Disappointing Title Defense (2024/25)
Phil Foden, the Manchester City forward, had an outstanding year in 2023/24, sweeping all individual accolades. However, the 2024/25 season has not been kind to him, prompting reflections on other subpar Player of the Year title defenses throughout Premier League history.
Foden’s underwhelming performance has made him a contender for this list of disappointing Player of the Year follow-ups. Here’s a look at four of the worst cases in Premier League history.
Phil Foden (2024/25)
The season has been particularly odd for Manchester City. After impressive scoring runs of 36 in 45 games in 2022/23 and 27 in 31 matches in 2023/24, Erling Haaland’s current tally stands at 21 goals from 28 matches. While this is a remarkable return, the sheer expectations set by his previous performance, alongside Mohamed Salah’s exceptional form, has led to a lack of excitement regarding his achievements.
Similarly, Foden had set lofty standards, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Season for his contributions in 2023/24. He played a pivotal role in securing the title against Arsenal, contributing significantly with his goal involvements, including a key brace in the decisive match against West Ham.
Following a frustrating European Championship with England, Foden struggled to find form this season, managing only minimal contributions in the first half of the league campaign. As the 24-year-old only had a single assist and one goal for a long spell, scrutiny arose over his ability as the league’s alleged top player, especially in light of City’s struggles without key player Rodri, who had been injured.
Foden has faced further criticism after his lackluster display in Thomas Tuchel’s debut match as England manager against Albania, where he failed to cement his place as the team’s primary right-wing option amidst Saka’s absence. This has led to questions about his call-up, as many argue he hasn’t played better than other contenders like Morgan Gibbs-White. His lack of impact for the national team contrasts sharply with Saka’s impressive performances, raising eyebrows regarding Foden’s ability given the caliber of teammates around him.
While City may still finish the season competitively and Foden could add to his goal tally, these outcomes would not redeem his poor title defense as Player of the Year.
Notable Past Examples of Disappointing Title Defenses
Eden Hazard (2015/16): Hazard had an unforgettable season during Chelsea’s title win in 2014/15, but he underperformed significantly in the following campaign, not scoring until January. Despite capturing individual awards the previous year, he found himself heavily criticized as Chelsea endured a poor title defense, finishing third-last. Yet, his classic goal against Tottenham remains a highlight in an otherwise forgettable season.
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