- Wayne Rooney claims pressure is getting to Man City
- Believes Arsenal are more consistent
- Makes big statement about Phil Foden
Wayne Rooney has told Pep Guardiola what he needs to do to save Manchester City’s season and it is a take which will divide opinions.
Manchester City were in the driving seat to win the Premier League not so long ago, but Monday night’s result has thrown a spanner in the works of their season.
Arsenal had already taken a six-point lead, and now even if City defeat Brentford on Saturday, the Gunners will remain top.
It might be too late at this point for the Citizens to make a comeback, but there is still a chance to win the title if Arsenal drop points.
Should that happen, Man City will need to win all their remaining games and to do this, Wayne Rooney thinks there is one player who needs to start.
Wayne Rooney calls on Man City to play Phil Foden
According to the ex-Manchester United striker, Guardiola needs to be playing Phil Foden in every game.
The England international started against Southampton in the FA Cup, but he has not been handed a Premier League start since the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in March.
'Right: Is this the team of champions?' 🤔
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 5, 2026
Wayne Rooney questions if Man City were able to handle the pressure against Everton and says Pep Guardiola has to play Phil Foden going forward. pic.twitter.com/19COJMObkc
“I think [Phil] Foden has to play every game, for me,” he told The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport.
I know you’ve got [Rayan] Cherki and you’ve got [Antoine] Semenyo come in and [Jeremy] Doku’s a breath of fresh air as well, he’s incredible.
“But I just think you have to play Phil Foden.”
Foden has not justified a starting position
It is hard to see what Rooney’s reason is for wanting Foden to start, considering the attacker has been disappointing in recent months.
He failed to make an impression against Southampton, and has done nothing noteworthy when coming off the bench in the Premier League.
Still, Foden has agreed a new contract with Man City, so surely he will be given some minutes between now and the end of the season.
Should the 25-year-old be brought back into the team, Antoine Semenyo would be the obvious player to bench.
The winger continually has fewer touches than his teammates, and he has not made any significant league contributions in weeks.
Rooney highlights Man City’s inconsistency problem
Even though Rooney has long been backing Arsenal to win the Premier League, he has claimed City on their day are the best team in Europe.
However, the team’s lack of consistency means they will end up being second best to the Gunners in the title race.
“City weren’t at their best [against Everton],” Rooney added. “A couple of mistakes and this is what happens, the pressure. We’ve talked about Arsenal feeling pressure.
“You’ve seen it tonight [Monday] with Marc Guehi and pressure when you’re going into a title race, this is what happens.
“At 1-0 you look and you think ‘right, is this a team of champions?’ And that’s why I’ve always thought Arsenal are very consistent in their performances. City can be a little bit up and down.”
He added: “And when City are at their best, they’re the best team in Europe.”
