Enzo Maresca Calls Helping Phil Foden Recover His Form ‘My Duty’

• Enzo Maresca says it is “my duty” to help Phil Foden become one of the best players in England again, and he sat down with the midfielder two or three times after taking charge at Manchester City.
• Foden has scored four goals in his last two games after returning from a domestic suspension, including a hat trick against AEK Athens in the Champions League.
• Foden says he is “going in the right direction” but still has “a long way to go”.

How Maresca Set About Rebuilding Phil Foden

Enzo Maresca has described his work with Phil Foden as an obligation. Speaking to reporters, the Manchester City coach said he feels bound to help the 26-year-old back to the level he reached before two poor seasons. “For me, it’s my duty to try to help him to be one of the best players in England again,” Maresca said.

The timing sharpens the remark. Foden missed out on England’s World Cup squad this summer, and his season started badly with a sending off in last month’s Manchester derby. He then served a domestic suspension. After his return he has scored four times in two games, and the run has raised the prospect of an England recall.

Maresca said the work started in the first weeks of his reign. He “sat down with Phil two or three times”, he said, “just to show him, I don’t know if love is the right word to use, but to show him how important he is.”

Maresca on Foden’s Lost Years

The City coach did not pretend the last few seasons went well. “I know Phil from years ago, so I know how good he is,” Maresca said. “For different reasons, the last few years he was not good enough but I think when you have players like Phil available you are a better team.”

He made the same point at an earlier news conference. “I’ve said since day one, I consider him one of the best English players,” Maresca said. “For different reasons in the last two or three years he was not good enough, but I know how good he is so I’m just trying to help him.”

Foden’s Own Verdict

Foden scored against Ipswich on Saturday, his first goal since last December, then took three against AEK Athens in the 5-1 win in midweek. They were his first Champions League goals in almost 12 months and the fourth hat trick of his career.

He refused to declare himself fixed. “Slowly, but surely,” Foden told TNT Sports when asked whether he is getting back to his best. “Still got a long way to go, but I’m going in the right direction.”

“Scoring along the way definitely helps,” he added. “I just want to keep working hard and trying to be the best I can for the manager and the team.” Of the goals themselves he said: “I am a forward, so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It can only be good for my confidence.”

The Same Treatment for Rayan Cherki

Maresca used his news conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa to explain what he wants from Rayan Cherki. The 23-year-old French playmaker has scored fine goals against Liverpool and AEK in recent weeks, and Maresca called him “one of the best players in Europe”.

The coach wants the player to improve one area, his positioning, without losing the instinct that makes him dangerous. “He loves the ball, he wants the ball, and this is not something I am going to remove,” Maresca said. “But we need to find the right balance as when we can contact him in the right position, he can create chances.”

He added: “I like it when the players are happy, 100%, but I also like simple things, don’t complicate it.” Maresca said Cherki is a weapon when City find him between the lines.

Foden and Cherki go into Saturday’s game at Villa as the two players their coach is working on most openly.