Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Phil Foden retains his confidence.
Out-of-sorts Foden has started just a third of City's matches since the World Cup, amid struggles with an ankle injury.
"He made an incredible effort, playing with pain, and arrived at a moment when he said, 'Pep, I cannot any more', so he had to rest," Guardiola said.
"We gave him a week or two off, and after that Riyad Mahrez was in his best time of the season and Jack Grealish made a step forward.
"If you are saying that I don't trust Phil, forget about it. Phil is our diamond. He needs to be himself. I saw other players better than him at times after the World Cup."