Enzo Maresca outlines Phil Foden plans after Manchester City show of faith with new contract | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is set to play a ‘key part’ in new head coach Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans for the upcoming campaign, as per a recent report.

The past few months saw uncertainties surface about the 26-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium following difficult spells in the last two seasons.

Turkish giants Galatasaray, among other top clubs across leagues, were heavily linked to making a move for him in the ongoing transfer window, especially as he entered the last year of his contract at City.

Now, Foden has officially signed a contract extension that will keep him at his boyhood club until the summer of 2030, with the option of a further 12 months.

Report: Enzo Maresca ‘counting on’ Phil Foden as an important part of his squad

Despite his struggles in the last campaigns, Manchester City have shown full confidence in their talented academy graduate, which has been made evident with their announcement of Foden’s new contract on Wednesday afternoon.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, the midfielder will be an important part of Maresca’s squad in the new campaign.

While speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke further mentioned that Foden will have a “big role to play” under the Italian manager.

“He will have a big role to play under Enzo Maresca, who will be counting on him as an important part of his squad – and will have a look at how he performs in pre-season,” O’Rourke said.

After signing his new long-term contract, Foden expressed his excitement to work with new Manchester City manager Enzo Mareca.

The Englishman said: “So excited! I’ve had Enzo before in the Treble season, he was brilliant – his attention to detail, small things that make a big difference.

“Training with him at the moment, you can tell how good of a coach he is. I’m really excited to play under him and see where it goes.”

What’s next for Phil Foden and Manchester City?

Even though a new deal is in place, a very crucial pre-season lies ahead for Foden to regain his spot in Manchester City’s starting squad for the 2026/27 campaign.

After his underwhelming form and exclusion from England’s World Cup squad, the midfielder is expected to be eager to return to his stride in the next season.

Foden, along with the rest of Maresca’s squad, are set for the pre-season tour of Asia, where they will face Serie A champions Inter Milan, a K League All-Stars, and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in friendly warm-up matches, starting next week.

As for their first competitive matches of the season, Manchester City are pitted against reigning Premier League champions Arsenal in the FA Community Shield final on August 16, followed by their English top-flight opening game against Bournemouth on August 23 at the Etihad Stadium.