Phil Foden has signed a new contract keeping him at Manchester City until 2030 — and he didn't waste the moment to make clear how he feels about Enzo Maresca taking the reins.
"I can't wait to work with Enzo again," Foden said. "He was brilliant during the Treble season — someone all the players respected and loved working with." That's not a throwaway line from a press conference script. Maresca earned that trust on the training ground when City won everything in 2022-23, and Foden watched it up close.
Twenty trophies and still only 26
The contract extension isn't surprising — it would have been a story if it hadn't happened. Foden has 20 major trophies and has been at the club since he was nine years old. He's not going anywhere. But the timing matters: City are entering their first post-Guardiola era, and tying down their most important homegrown player before a ball is kicked under Maresca sends a clear message about continuity.
Foden acknowledged the transition himself: "As many of the legends who were here when I first broke through move on, I am excited for the next phase of my career." A quieter admission than it reads — City's squad is genuinely turning over, and Foden is now one of the senior figures in the dressing room whether he courts that label or not.
Director of football Hugo Viana called him "a unique talent" and pointed to his "focus, dedication and humility" as what separates him. Viana also noted that "at 26, his development is still ongoing" — which will either prove prophetic or read as standard contract-day optimism in a couple of years.
What this means for City's season odds
For City's title chances under Maresca, Foden's commitment is the most stabilising factor they have right now. He finished last season as one of the best players in the Premier League and is the kind of creative hub that any new manager builds around first. City's attacking threat doesn't drop off if Foden stays in form — and any odds compilers still adjusting for the Guardiola departure should factor that in.
He was left out of England's World Cup squad, which clearly stung. But he's channelled it cleanly: new deal, new manager, and 20 trophies already on the shelf with more to chase.
