Maresca opens up on the meetings that helped Foden get his spark back

There is still a long way to go for the Stockport playmaker to return to the top of his game; he was excellent for the first few months of last season before his form disappeared again. However, in Maresca he has a manager who will make sure he knows how valuable he is for the team.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

"Since we started I sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning just to show him...I'm not sure that love is the right word to use but just to show him how important he is," said Maresca. "I said many times that I know Phil from years ago so I know how good he is.

"For different reasons the last few years he was not good enough. But again I think when you have more players like Phil available you are a better team because at the end it's a matter of improving players, if you improve the players you improve the team. So for me it's my duty to try to help Phil to be again one of the best players in England.

"The season is very long, many games. The important thing is that again when we decide to use Phil or another player the important thing is that they are ready. And again, I think for the players it's also important that they are happy and they enjoy football."