BT Sport say the official line on Foden is that “he’s not quite fit enough”. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who often starts at left-back and was on the bench at Brentford, is absent for the same reason. It doesn’t sound like this is a case for the conspiracy theorists.

There’s no Phil Foden in the City squad. He is one of three changes from the team that won at Brentford on Wednesday, with Jack Grealish and Fernandinho moved to the bench. Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Rodri replace them. Joao Cancelo, who was hurt during a robbery at his home earlier in the week, starts at right-back.

Continue reading...