Phil Foden is preparing for a fresh chapter in his career as Manchester City transitions under new manager Enzo Maresca. The 26-year-old midfielder, who faced a challenging period culminating in his omission from England’s World Cup squad, expressed determination to regain his form and contribute to City’s ongoing success.

Foden’s decline in performance followed a promising start to the 2025-26 season. After playing a key role in Manchester City’s fourth consecutive league title two years prior and entering Euro 2024 with high expectations, he found himself struggling with physical and mental fatigue. Additionally, tactical adjustments under Gareth Southgate saw him deployed out of position, which affected his impact on the field.

“First half of the season was really good,” Foden reflected on the past campaign. “In the second half, I couldn’t really get going or a lot of game time.” He acknowledged the difficulty in adapting to multiple positions, noting that changes in role hampered his ability to maintain consistent performance. Foden also recognized the strong form of teammates competing for similar positions, which limited his opportunities.

The disappointment of missing out on the England World Cup squad under coach Thomas Tuchel was significant. Foden described the initial news as painful and said seeing his teammates play while listening to the national anthem was emotionally tough. He spent part of the tournament watching matches at his local pub, an experience tinged with both delight for others and personal frustration.

Despite these setbacks, Foden emphasized resilience and a positive outlook moving forward. “You have got to take the negatives... take it with a pinch of salt and then try to react and prove people wrong,” he said. This perspective has been bolstered by the support shown from Manchester City, both through Enzo Maresca’s phone call following the England squad announcement and the club’s decision to offer him a new contract.

Foden’s latest contract extension, which could keep him at City until 2031, has brought stability and renewed focus. “It made me feel steady, it’s made me feel relaxed,” he stated, highlighting his long-standing connection to the club, which he joined as a young child. “I have been here since I was four or five and never thought about leaving once. It never crossed my mind.”

With a fresh start under Maresca, Foden aims to reclaim his best form and continue contributing to Manchester City’s title ambitions while mentoring newer players eager to secure their own successes.