Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has outlined his vision for Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden in his starting XI.
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It is a sliding door season for Foden at the Etihad Stadium, having struggled to replicate his 2023-24 PFA Player’s Player of the Year winning heroics in his recent two campaigns.
The 26-year-old recently penned a fresh contract till June 2030 to end speculation over his Manchester City future - in the backdrop of another season of ups and downs that culminated in the forward being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for England’s FIFA World Cup campaign.
Maresca has spoken in support of Foden since taking over from Pep Guardiola, having worked with Foden during his time working as City assistant coach in the 2022-23 treble winning season.
While Foden was hit and miss last season, City saw summer signing Rayan Cherki step up to the plate and establish himself as a first-team regular, forging a strong connection with Erling Haaland.
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The France international scored a series of crucial goals over the course of the 2025-26 season, helping Manchester City push Arsenal all the way in the title race albeit eventually finishing in second place, seven points behind the Gunners.
Cherki was selected for France’s FIFA World Cup squad after a breakthrough debut season in England but struggled for minutes in a star-studded Les Bleus side.
Foden & Cherki in competition but can also play together, says Maresca
Manchester City are embarking on a transitional period following the recent departure of Pep Guardiola as manager, with Maresca coming in as his replacement having served as the Catalan’s assistant in the treble season.
In a press conference prior to Sunday’s Premier League win over Bournemouth, Maresca was asked whether he envisions Foden and Cherki competing with each other for a place in the starting XI under his stewardship.
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The Italian outlined that Foden and Cherki can “play together in different positions" but are "quite similar players”.
Maresca said: "I think if you want to build an important team, you need competition inside the team. It's good that Phil and Rayan are in competition, but can play together in some games.”
Could Foden and Cherki play together under Maresca?
The pair gelled well when operating together in the number eight position behind Erling Haaland last season, with Cherki often shifting to the right and Foden making late runs into the box akin to Ilkay Gundogan over the years.
Foden has admitted that he prefers to play down the middle, with Cherki slightly more versatile and displaying in his first season at Manchester City that he can wreak havoc from quite literally anywhere in attack.
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Maresca’s team selection against Bournemouth and his first few games will provide real insight into his outlook on the current attacking options at his disposal, with Foden expected to start from the off.
Cherki only reported for pre-season a few weeks ago and could be embedded into the starting XI gradually following an extended period of rest after his commitments for France at the FIFA World Cup in North America.