Maresca: « Complètement différent », Foden va redevenir un monstre à City
Phil Foden’s Fresh Start: Can Manchester City’s Homegrown Star Shine Again Under New Boss Maresca?
The Big Picture: A Star Looking to Bounce Back
Imagine being named the best player of the entire season — and then having two really tough years where nothing seems to go right. That’s exactly what happened to Phil Foden.
- 2023-2024: Wins Premier League Player of the Year (the biggest individual award in English football)
- Next two seasons: Form drops sharply
- Result: Left out of England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup by new manager Thomas Tuchel
Now, with a new manager at Manchester City — Enzo Maresca — Foden is determined to turn the page and rediscover his magic.
A New Manager, A New Mindset
What Maresca Sees in Training
Maresca has been watching Foden closely since pre-season (the practice period before real games start). Here’s what he noticed:
Maresca’s Exact Words:
"Phil has looked really, really sharp since day one. People inside the club say compared to the last one or two years, Phil is a completely different player in terms of mood, in terms of what he shows in training sessions. That’s what we want."
Key Signs of Improvement
| Area | Before | Now (According to Maresca) |
|---|---|---|
| Mood / Attitude | Frustrated, inconsistent | Positive, focused |
| Training Effort | Questioned at times | "Sharp," high intensity |
| Match Readiness | Struggled for form | Started Community Shield vs Arsenal |
[!IMPORTANT]
Community Shield Test: Foden started the Community Shield (the traditional season-opener vs Arsenal) and played 60 minutes. City lost 3-0, but Maresca saw enough to say: "I think Phil played a good game."
Friendly Fire: The Rayan Cherki Rivalry
Who Is Rayan Cherki?
- Exciting young playmaker (attacking midfielder)
- Signed by City this summer
- Replaced Foden at the 60-minute mark in the Community Shield
Can They Play Together?
Maresca says YES — but they’re also rivals.
Maresca on the duo:
"They can play together, in different positions, but it’s true they are very similar. In the end, if you want to build a great team, you need competition in the squad. So it’s a good thing that Phil and Rayan have this competition, but they can also play together in certain games."
What This Means for Foden
Healthy competition pushes both to be better
Tactical flexibility — Maresca can use both in different systems
No guaranteed starting spot — Foden must earn it every week
A New Era Begins at the Etihad
First Premier League Game: City vs Bournemouth
- When: Sunday (start of 2026-2027 season)
- Where: Etihad Stadium (City’s home)
- Goal: Continue a proud tradition
The "New Manager Bounce" Stat
Did You Know?
The last FOUR permanent City managers have ALL won their first Premier League game in charge.
| Manager | First PL Game | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pep Guardiola | 2016 | Won |
| (Interim spells excluded) | ||
| Enzo Maresca | 2026 vs Bournemouth | TBD |
Maresca wants to keep the streak alive.
Team News for the Opener
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elliot Anderson | Possible debut | £116m summer signing (club record!) |
| Jeremy Doku | OUT | Calf injury |
| Phil Foden | Likely starter | Sharp in training, per Maresca |
| Rayan Cherki | In squad | Fighting for minutes |
Why This Matters: The Bigger Story
For Phil Foden (Age 26)
- Academy graduate — "one of their own"
- Prime years — should be at his peak
- Point to prove — after World Cup snub
For Manchester City
- First post-Guardiola era since 2016
- Expectation: Keep winning trophies
- Maresca’s challenge: Evolve the style without losing the DNA
For Fans
- Emotional rollercoaster — local hero fighting for redemption
- New faces — Anderson, Cherki, fresh tactics
- Must-watch football — every game matters now
Summary: The 5 Things You Need to Know
- Phil Foden had two bad seasons after winning Player of the Year — and missed the World Cup.
- New boss Enzo Maresca says Foden looks "completely different" — happier, sharper, working harder.
- Foden started the Community Shield (played 60 mins vs Arsenal) — a vote of confidence.
- Rayan Cherki is the new rival — but Maresca says they can play together AND compete.
- Season starts Sunday vs Bournemouth — Maresca aims to become the 5th straight City boss to win Game 1.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did Phil Foden lose his England spot?
A: After winning Player of the Year in 2023-24, Foden’s form dropped for two straight seasons. New England manager Thomas Tuchel left him out of the 2026 World Cup squad because other players were performing better at that moment.
Who is Enzo Maresca?
A: He’s City’s new head coach, appointed after Pep Guardiola left in 2026. Maresca previously managed Leicester City (won the Championship) and was Guardiola’s assistant. He likes attacking, possession-based football — similar to Pep but with his own ideas.
How much did Elliot Anderson cost?
A: £116 million — a British transfer record! He’s a versatile midfielder from Newcastle, seen as a long-term star.
Can Foden and Cherki really play together?
A: Yes! Maresca says they’re similar (both creative, left-footed playmakers) but can occupy different pockets of space — e.g., one as a "10" (behind the striker), one as an "8" (box-to-box), or one wide. It gives City tactical variety.
What happens if Maresca loses his first game?
A: The "4 managers won Game 1" streak ends — but one loss doesn’t define a season. City’s squad is too good to panic. However, a win would give the new era perfect momentum.
Final Thought:
Phil Foden’s story isn’t over — it’s just entering a new chapter. With a manager who believes in him, a fresh mindset, and a home crowd behind him, the "Stockport Iniesta" has every chance to remind the world why he was once the best player in England. Sunday vs Bournemouth is just the first page.