Phil Foden criticised by fans after being caught smiling as Manchester City trailed Tottenham 2-0

Phil Foden has come under fire from football fans after being spotted smiling on the Manchester City bench while his team were 2-0 down to Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.

The England star was named among the substitutes and did not start the clash at the Etihad Stadium, a decision that raised eyebrows before kick-off given his status as one of City’s standout players in recent years. But it was not his absence from the starting line-up that caught attention. Instead, television cameras showed Foden grinning on the sidelines moments after Spurs doubled their lead – a reaction that many fans felt was poorly timed.

Several supporters took to social media to voice their frustration. One fan, posting under the name @TheArsenalDan, wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“City losing 0-2 to Spurs, camera cuts to Foden immediately after they concede the second. This is his face. No wonder he can’t get in the side, man’s not serious.”

Another, @333ccoco, added: “2-0 down and Foden is laughing. Embarrassing.”

A third fan, @xabilution1, was even more blunt, claiming: “They are goals down and this mf is laughing. Time to put Foden up for sale.”

Some supporters, however, pointed out that Foden was not laughing at the scoreline but rather at chants coming from the away supporters. Tottenham’s travelling fans were singing “Champions of Europe” in reference to their Europa League triumph, and Foden seemed to find the ironic dig amusing. One fan named Jay even suggested the 25-year-old’s smile was directed at Spurs supporters, writing: “Phil Foden hate watching his own team is killing me.”

The criticism comes at a time when Foden’s own form is under the microscope. After an incredible 2023/24 campaign in which he was crowned Premier League Player of the Season, the City academy graduate has struggled to hit those heights again. Once considered untouchable in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI, he now finds himself regularly rotated and, on occasions like Saturday, watching on from the bench.

Against Tottenham, Foden did eventually come off the bench in the second half. But despite his introduction, City were unable to claw their way back into the game and fell to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat.

The result was a blow for Guardiola’s side, especially after they had begun the new Premier League season in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 win away at Wolves in their opening fixture. Expectations were high that City would carry that momentum into their first home game, but Tottenham’s clinical finishing and organised defence left the champions frustrated.

City will now look to regroup quickly as they prepare for a tricky away trip to Brighton next weekend. With the Seagulls known for their high-energy football and ability to cause upsets, Guardiola may look to bring Foden back into the starting line-up as the champions attempt to get their title defence back on track.

While the sight of Foden smiling on the bench upset many supporters, context is important. At 25, he is already a four-time Premier League winner and a Champions League winner with City. His reputation as one of England’s brightest talents remains intact, but fans’ frustrations reflect the high standards he set for himself last season.

There’s also the question of body language. In football, players are often judged not only by their performances but also by how they react to difficult moments. For many fans, seeing one of their star men laughing when the team was behind sent the wrong message – even if the smile had nothing to do with City’s struggles on the pitch.

What cannot be ignored, however, is the fact that Foden has not yet found his rhythm this season. If he is to silence the doubters and win back his starting place, he will need to rediscover the form that made him the league’s standout performer just months ago.

City’s loss to Tottenham was only their second game of the campaign, meaning there is plenty of time for both the team and Foden to bounce back. Guardiola has always shown faith in his academy graduate, but with the competition for places fiercer than ever, Foden knows he cannot afford to let these small controversies distract from his football.