He told BBC Sport that the agreement has made him feel relaxed
, allowing him to focus on being the best version of himself. The midfielder noted that the support from the club means a lot and that it is now time to give back to the club for the faith they have shown in him.
The Rapport Between Foden and Enzo Maresca
After Foden was left out of the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, Maresca reached out to him personally to check on his well-being.
“He [Maresca] reached out just after to see if it was OK, which was very nice of him, to show us this character and the person he is. He cares about everyone and wants to have a good relationship with the team.”
Phil Foden, via bbc.co.uk
Recovery from Injury and Off-Field Struggles
Foden struggled last season, battling a combination of an ankle injury and off-field issues. While he started for England in the 2024 European Championship final loss to Spain, the subsequent disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup roster—where England reached the semi-finals before a 2-1 loss to Argentina—added to the weight of the previous year.
Foden now maintains he is fully fit
. Maresca has echoed the importance of the player’s mental state as a prerequisite for performance, stating that his duty is to help Foden be the version of the player the team needs, starting with the requirement that he is happy and enjoying football.
Squad Transitions and the Inter Milan Friendly
The squad has lost the experience and knowhow of Guardiola, captain Bernardo Silva, and England defender John Stones. Despite these departures, Foden remains confident in the depth of the remaining roster.
The first real test of this new era comes this Saturday, as Maresca takes charge of City for the first time in a friendly against Inter Milan in Hong Kong.
Prospects for Silver Success in 2026
He told reporters that while it is obviously hard
, he believes the team can win everything because they still possess an unbelievable team
.
Maresca’s Mandate for Foden
Maresca has explicitly linked Foden’s emotional well-being to the club’s trophy haul, stating, If he feels good, he can help us win titles
.
Worth a look
