Foden started for England in their 2024 European Championship final defeat by Spain but missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the tournament before losing 2-1 to Argentina, and Foden said it was hard watching them walk out for the national anthem before games.
Foden said Maresca had checked in with him after he was left out of Tuchel’s squad.
Foden said: “He [Maresca] reached out just after to see if it was OK, which was very nice of him, to show us this character and the person he is.
“He cares about everyone and wants to have a good relationship with the team.”
Foden struggled last season with a combination of off-field issues and an ankle injury, but says he is now “fully fit”.
Asked about Foden’s role in the team, Maresca said: “Phil is very important, like the rest. Knowing Phil from years ago, I know how good he is.
“It is my duty to help him be the Phil we all want.
“First of all, to be happy and enjoy football is most important. If he feels good, he can help us win titles.”
Maresca will take charge of City for the first time in Saturday’s friendly against Inter Milan in Hong Kong.
Despite losing the experience and knowhow of Guardiola, captain Bernardo Silva and England defender John Stones, Foden feels City can achieve “amazing things” next season.
Speaking at the club’s new Puma away kit launch in Hong Kong, Foden said: “I think we can win everything, but it’s obviously hard. We have still got an unbelievable team.”
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