Phil Foden Outlines Differences Between Playing Under Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola

Phil Foden Outlines Differences Between Playing Under Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola The resurrection of Phil Foden at Manchester City? Foden , who finds himself in the midst of a retributive spell of Manchester City form, has spent much of Enzo Maresca 's short reign as manager looking to restore the faith placed in him by the club's supporters. After a personally underwhelming couple of seasons at the back end of legendary City manager Pep Guardiola 's tenure, Phil Foden looked to grasp at anything that could replicate his impeccable display across the 2023/24 season, which saw the Englishman snatch the PFA Player of the Year award as the Blues made it four Premier League titles on the bounce. Having not produced those levels since receiving the 2024 edition of the prestigious award, there has been much discourse from fans and experts over where Foden sits in the squad - if at all. But Enzo Maresca's arrival and the refresh it has provided could offer a new lease of life for the 26-year-old, as he navigates a new-found positional freedom in the Italian's set up fresh from netting four goals in three days - against Ipswich Town and AEK Athens - having not scored for the Blues in nine months. Speaking around Manchester City's UEFA Champions League face-off against  RB Leipzig , Phil Foden revealed whether there have been any standout similarities or differences between the demands of new man Enzo Maresca and his predecessor Pep Guardiola. "It's similar stuff, to be honest, with Enzo. And me personally as well, I still play different positions so different positions require different things from myself," said Foden. He continued, "I'm more understanding as well than the other [Man City] players because I've worked with him [Maresca] in the past, so that helps him to try and help the team and teammates who need help in being in the right position." Enzo Maresca worked closely with the Englishman during Manchester City's legendary treble winning season in 2022/23, when the Italian was a vital cog in the machine of Pep Guardiola's coaching contingent, overseeing a sparkling individual season from Phil Foden. With a new man in the dugout comes fresh ideas, opinions and dynamics, and having won 12 of his opening 16 matches as Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca has already established parts of his tactical setup, as the Italian looks to break out of a rocky run of form. Phil Foden also spoke on whether there are basic pressing differences between Pep Guardiola's influential style, and Enzo Maresca's industrialised Manchester City team. "It depends on the game! Every game is different, how we set up and sometimes, we try and match the opposition, but it all depends on the game state and the team we're playing." An outstanding performance at home to AEK Athens in gameweek three of the Champions League saw Phil Foden claim a hattrick to boot, in an almighty, cathartic boost of confidence for Manchester City's star product. The display spoke volumes, but what spoke loudest, was that his presence on the pitch did not spell the absence of the excellent Rayan Cherki . The two have been previously interchangeable with the Frenchman's special performances often the pitchfork that kept Phil Foden out of contention. However their link up at the Etihad that night exemplified what the two can produce in a symbiotic system.