Maresca backs Foden to lead Man City despite missing out on captaincy group

Enzo Maresca has called on Phil Foden to step into a leadership role at Manchester City this season, even after the England midfielder missed out on a place in the club’s newly formed four-man captaincy group.

Maresca named Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma as his designated captains ahead of the new campaign, citing their experience in the role at previous clubs and international level. Foden, despite putting himself forward for one of the two available spots alongside English players, was not selected — though Maresca made clear the omission carries no slight.

“I was also thinking about Phil, because Phil is one of the guys from the house,” Maresca said. “He’s not in that group, but for me he’s also one of the captains, one of the players that belong to that group.”

The comments come as Foden looks to rebuild his standing in the game after a difficult 2024-25 season. Having been named the Premier League’s best player in 2024, the 24-year-old lost form sharply and was subsequently left out of England’s World Cup squad. City backed him with a new contract, and he has started both of Maresca’s first two matches in charge.

However, Foden faces competition for his preferred central attacking midfield role from summer signing Rayan Cherki, who has already contributed two goals and two assists in those opening fixtures. Maresca acknowledged the Frenchman’s early impact while reaffirming that Foden’s natural home is in the middle of the pitch.

“I think Phil’s best position is in the middle,” Maresca said. “But he’s doing an effort to help the team, because for the first two games we didn’t have an option in the wide area, because Jeremy was injured. No doubt that Phil’s position in the middle is much better. But I’m very, very happy with Phil since day one.”

Maresca added that Foden’s ability to operate across multiple positions — something few players in the City squad can match — would work in his favour as the season progresses and competition for places intensifies. The Italian also noted that Foden’s performances out wide in the opening games, while not his ideal setting, had still been encouraging.

“Phil is going to play in different positions, because he’s a good player, and they can play in different positions,” Maresca said.