Enzo Maresca has revealed he held a series of private talks with Phil Foden after taking charge of Manchester City to make clear how important the midfielder would be to his plans.
Foden heads into Manchester City‘s Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Saturday in his best scoring form for some time, having struck four times in his past two appearances.
The 26-year-old ended a 35-game City run without a goal in the 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town before scoring his first Champions League hat-trick in Tuesday’s 5-1 win against AEK Athens.
Speaking before the trip to Villa Park, Maresca explained that he had made a point of sitting down with Foden during the early stages of his City tenure.
Maresca reveals private Foden talks
“I have sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning, to show him how important he is,” Maresca said.
The City manager knows Foden from his previous spell at the Etihad and has repeatedly spoken of his belief that the England international can again establish himself among the country’s leading players.
Maresca acknowledged that Foden had not reached his previous standards over the past two seasons, but said helping individual players improve was central to improving the team as a whole. He described it as his responsibility to help Foden return to his best.
There are now encouraging signs of that happening. Foden followed his goal against Ipswich with a hat-trick against AEK, taking his tally to four in two matches after going 10 months without scoring for City.
His treble was the fourth hat-trick of his City career and continued an impressive return to the side following his three-match domestic suspension. We looked at that turnaround in more detail after Foden ended a 35-game City scoring drought with four goals in two matches.
Foden gives Maresca selection decision at Aston Villa
Foden’s form leaves Maresca with an intriguing attacking decision at Villa Park, particularly with Erling Haaland available again after being rested against AEK.
Rayan Cherki also scored in the Champions League victory and has been praised by Maresca, who believes the Frenchman is among Europe’s best players when used in the right position. Asked whether Cherki, Foden and Haaland could play together, the City manager said it would depend on his game plan but confirmed that he believes the trio can be accommodated in the same side.
You can read more on Maresca’s Haaland update and his thoughts on playing Foden and Cherki alongside the striker.
Whatever Maresca decides at Villa Park, Foden has strengthened his case for another start. The private conversations revealed by his manager also underline how determined Maresca has been to make the 26-year-old an important part of his new City side.
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