Enzo Maresca has made it clear that helping Phil Foden rediscover his best form is a personal priority, revealing that he has held several conversations with the Manchester City midfielder to reinforce how important he remains to the team.
The City manager believes the England international still possesses the quality to rank among the country’s finest players and views improving his performances as part of his responsibility in charge of the club.
Foden has recently shown encouraging signs of a revival, scoring against Ipswich Town before producing a hat-trick in City’s emphatic 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens. Those performances have renewed attention on what he can contribute as Maresca continues shaping his team.
However, the Italian’s latest comments suggest his belief in Foden extends beyond the goals and highlights. He wants to help the 26-year-old establish the consistency needed to become a central figure in City’s plans.
Maresca Makes Foden Feel Valued
Maresca revealed that he had sat down with Foden on two or three occasions, particularly during the early stages of their working relationship, to make sure the midfielder understood the manager’s confidence in him.
The conversations were intended to underline Foden’s value to the squad and reassure him that Maresca recognised the ability he had demonstrated over several seasons.
“I sat with Phil Foden two or three times, especially at the beginning,” Maresca explained.
“Just to show, I don’t know if ‘love’ is the right word to use, how important he is! I know Phil from years ago, so I know how good he is.”
The comments reveal a personal dimension to Maresca’s approach. Rather than focusing exclusively on tactical instructions and performances, he has also sought to build a relationship that encourages Foden to trust in his own ability.
For a player who has previously established himself among English football’s leading talents, that support could be significant as he works to regain his most influential form.
An Honest Assessment of Foden’s Recent Struggles
Although Maresca remains convinced of Foden’s potential, he did not ignore the difficulties the midfielder has experienced in recent years.
The City boss acknowledged that Foden had not consistently reached the standards expected of him, while making clear that his current approach is focused on helping the player improve rather than dwelling on past setbacks.
“For different reasons in the last years he was not good enough, but when you have more players like Phil available, you’re a better team,” Maresca said.
His assessment reflects the demands at Manchester City, where individual reputation alone is not enough to guarantee influence. Players must continue developing and delivering performances that strengthen the collective.
Foden’s recent goals offer an encouraging starting point, but the challenge will be to maintain that momentum over a longer period.
Maresca’s emphasis on improvement suggests he believes there is still considerable room for Foden to grow within the team’s system.
Improving Players Is Central to Maresca’s Philosophy
For Maresca, Foden’s development is part of a broader principle: a stronger team begins with individual players becoming better.
The manager explained that improving the players available to him ultimately improves the overall quality of the squad. That makes helping Foden rediscover his best level more than an individual project; it is also an investment in City’s collective ambitions.
“It’s a matter of improving players – if you improve the players, you improve the team,” he said.
He then made his personal responsibility explicit, stressing that he wants to help Foden return to the level that established him as one of England’s most exciting footballers.
“So, for me, I think it’s my duty to try to help Phil to be again one of the best players in England.”
The statement places Foden’s progress firmly within Maresca’s priorities. The manager is not simply hoping that the midfielder rediscovers his form independently; he intends to play an active role in helping him reach that standard.
Recent Goals Offer Encouragement
Foden’s latest performances have provided tangible evidence of the progress City will hope to see continue.
After finding the net in the 3-2 win over Ipswich, he followed up with three goals against AEK Athens, helping City secure an important European victory.
The hat-trick showcased his finishing ability and offered a reminder of the threat he poses when he finds space in dangerous areas. It also came at a useful moment, with City balancing their Premier League campaign against European and domestic cup commitments.
Yet, the bigger test will be consistency. Repeating those contributions across successive matches would strengthen Foden’s position and give Maresca another reliable source of goals and creativity.
With the manager’s backing and a recent run of positive performances, the midfielder has an opportunity to turn his return to form into something more sustained.
A Partnership That Could Shape City’s Season
Maresca’s comments point to a relationship built around trust, honest feedback and the expectation of improvement.
He recognises Foden’s ability, understands that the player has faced challenges and believes helping him return to his highest level is part of the job. At the same time, his words make clear that the next step depends on continued progress on the pitch.
For City, a confident and consistent Foden would add another important dimension to an attack already featuring Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and other creative options.
The manager has made his intention clear: he wants Foden to feel valued, improve his performances and once again establish himself among England’s leading players. The midfielder’s recent goals have offered a promising beginning, but maintaining that level will determine how far this revival can go.
