Silver Linings
Phil Foden's omission from England's World Cup squad is hardly the news anyone at Manchester City wanted to hear. But it does hand Enzo Maresca something he otherwise wouldn't have had: a full pre-season with one of the club's key players.
While most of England's international contingent will be away at the tournament, Foden will remain at the City Football Academy. That means no travelling, no tournament fatigue, and no risk of picking up a knock on international duty.
For Maresca, it's a chance to work intensively with a player who remains central to his plans. A proper pre-season block, uninterrupted by international commitments, is a rare commodity for a player of Foden's standing.
Not how anyone would have wanted it. But there's a silver lining here, and it's one City will look to exploit.