Foden is enjoying a resurgence having scored four goals in his last two games since serving a domestic suspension.

The 26-year-old’s performances, which included a hat-trick against AEK Athens in midweek, have raised the prospect of a return to the England fold after being dropped for the World Cup.

Maresca has taken a keen interest in Foden’s wellbeing since taking over at the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

The Italian said: “Since we started, I sat down with Phil two or three times – especially at the beginning – just to show him, I don’t know if love is the right word to use, but to show him how important he is.

“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 I think when you have players like Phil available you are a better team because it’s a matter of improving players.

“For me, it’s my duty to try to help him to be one of the best players in England again.”

Maresca is also determined to help playmaker Rayan Cherki maximise his threat.

The French playmaker has showcased his dazzling ability with fine goals against Liverpool and AEK in recent weeks.

Maresca, however, feels the 23-year-old would be even more dangerous if he could improve his sense of positioning.

He said: “In this moment Rayan is one of the best players in Europe. When he is in the right position – that means when we are able to find him between the lines – he’s always dangerous.

“Sometimes, because he loves the ball and he loves to move a lot, most of the time he is in the wrong position, but when he is in the right position he is always a weapon for us.”

Maresca accepts, however, that he must strike a balance between improving Cherki’s awareness and preserving the instincts that make him such a threat.

Speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa, he said: “After 35 years in football I am quite lucky that I have seen many things. I was lucky to play three or four years with (Alessandro) Del Piero, (Zinedine) Zidane – they don’t remember because they were very young – and Rayan has many good things but it’s just a matter of balance.

“I like it when the players are happy, 100 per cent, but I also like simple things, don’t complicate it.

“Sometimes when players are so good like Rayan, they need to do that and when he does that I know he is happy, and if he can create chances for the team it is even better.

“This is something he needs to keep. He loves the ball, he wants the ball, and this is not something I am going to remove.

“But we need to find the right balance as when we can contact him in the right position, he can create chances.”