Scott Carson backs Phil Foden to comeback stronger from his England World Cup snub | OneFootball

Former Manchester City stopper Scott Carson has spoken extensively on the opposite fortunes of Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly regarding the World Cup this summer.

Despite playing a more promising role for Manchester City in comparison to the 2024/25 season, aiding the club to a Carabao Cup and FA Cup double under Pep Guardiola last season, the 26-year-old playmaker found himself largely on the outside looking in.

For a player who has spent the last half-decade operating at the limit of elite domestic and European football, an unexpected summer now marks his first prolonged competitive break since breaking into the Manchester City first team.

In stark contrast, the summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament has opened the door for a changing of the guard, thrusting 21-year-old City academy graduate Nico O’Reilly into the global spotlight.

O’Reilly’s meteoric rise from Elite Development Squad starlet to a regular fixture on Manchester City’s left flank rapidly caught the eye of manager Thomas Tuchel, possibly making the youngster the nation’s starting left-back.

As England navigates a gruelling group stage against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana in intense temperatures over in North America, the youthful energy of City’s newest starlet has transformed him from a squad option into a vital figure for the Three Lions.

Scott Carson shines positive light on Foden absence

Speaking during a new conversation with BetVictor, who are offering 100/1 on England winning the World Cup, former Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson spoke of the positive impact an absence for Phil Foden in North America could have on the midfielder.

“It’s probably been a hard hit for him to miss out on the World Cup, but hopefully, he has a bit of downtime, has a rest, clears his head and goes back into a fresh new season,” said Carson.

“I’ve seen him day-to-day and he’s just one of those players who has something, that little bit extra where he’s able to win you the game out of nothing,” he continued.

“Because he’s such a good player, he’s played literally everywhere for Man City across that front five and he’s probably not cemented one position as his main position. That has probably gone against him but also to have a player that can do that is a massive miss as well.”

One Manchester City star who is gearing up for his major competitive debut at senior England international level is Nico O’Reilly, who is widely expected to be Thomas Tuchel’s starting left-back throughout the tournament.

“He was in and around the squad for two years or so. It was halfway through the season before last, he played a couple of Carabao Cup games and FA Cup, and the one game I remember was against Bournemouth, he was playing down the left and he was just up and down, I think he scored a goal and from then he just seems to have kicked on,” said Carson on O’Reilly.

He added, “To have the season he’s just had for a young lad like him in this top Man City side is unbelievable. He’s more than ready for the World Cup. When you play for Man City, there’s big games and constant pressure like it will be at the World Cup. That’s what he’s like.

“He’s a little bit shy and keeps himself to himself but when he’s on the pitch or in training, if there’s a tackle to be made he’s there. I’ve watched from afar this season and I’m buzzing how well he’s done.

“He’s an athletic lad who can score goals too, especially with the positions he takes up so we’ll need that, especially in the heat.”

State of play for Foden and O’Reilly after the World Cup

The long-term ramifications of the summer could somewhat dictate Manchester City’s tactical planning under incoming manager Enzo Maresca, and a hungry Phil Foden reporting back for pre-season completely rejuvenated may give him a head-start to make quick impression from the very off.

As for Nico O’Reilly, he will likely require an extended rest period later into the summer to recover from intense international exertions, which may yet hand Maresca a headache over who starts at left-back when the campaign begins in August.

Despite the negativity surrounding Phil Foden’s performances for Manchester City over the last two seasons, club officials are expected to show faith in their prized academy graduate by handing him an extended contract in the coming weeks.