England suffer another setback as Phil Foden temporarily leaves Euro 2024 camp due to family matter

Phil Foden played in all three group matches for England in Euro 2024.

After Phil Foden took a plane home from the England squad’s base during Euro 2024 to take care of a “pressing family matter”, the country’s troubles have gotten worse.

It is unknown if Foden, a 24-year-old Manchester City player, will be back in the team by the moment Gareth Southgate’s team plays their last-16 match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. Foden played in all three of England’s Group C games in Germany.

Immediately following the Three Lions’ dismal goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday, Gareth Southgate was facing mounting criticism for altering his style of play. After winning Group C, England advanced with two goals from their three games.

With Harry Kane up front, Southgate utilised Bukayo Saka on the opposite side, Jude Bellingham as a No. 10, and Foden on the left side of the field. Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon have been urged to join the team, and if Phil Foden is to remain in the starting lineup, he should be shifted to a more central role.

Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen are among the other wing players in the team. Throughout the group phases, all four of them succeeded in getting onto the pitch.

On Wednesday, Phil Foden received approval to depart from the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 training camp and head back to his own country. The 24-year-old was included in England’s starting lineup for their 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday, but he was left from the team the following day by Gareth Southgate.

The Manchester City player’s withdrawal from the Three Lions’ camp for Euro 2024 was officially confirmed by the Football Association (FA), which issued the following statement: “Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter.”

The reason Phil Foden had to go back home has not been made public, and it is unknown if he will be back in Germany to play with his teammates at Euro 2024. England advanced to the competition’s quarterfinals after playing their last group-stage match on Tuesday.

As they get ready for the Euro 2024 knockout stages, England will wait for more information regarding Foden’s circumstances. The next game for Gareth Southgate’s team is scheduled for June 30, when they take on the team that places third in Group D, E or F.

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