Phil-good factor back for Foden

REJUVENATED STAR ALL SMILES AGAIN AFTER A SEASON OF DESPAIR

- BY JEREMY CROSS

FOUR months ago Phil Foden was in a dark place.

And his nadir came at the end of a long and miserable season, when he asked the FA to leave him out of Thomas Tuchel's squad.

In the past, some superstar names made it their mission to skip England get-togethers. Tight hamstrings came to the rescue of those who viewed representing the Three Lions as a burden, instead of a privilege.

But Foden's reasoning was genuine and more troubling. "It's been a frustrating season for me," he said. "I've had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally.

"Sometimes there are things in life that are bigger than football."