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Gareth Southgate's England suffered a massive blow in the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024 as Manchest er City midfielder Phil Foden has flown home to attend to a “pressing family matter”. The Three Lions have had a troubling start to their European campaign as the team has scrapped through the group stage with some underwhelming football.
England have topped Group C with one win and two draws, performances that have been heavily criticised by fans and experts alike. The Harry Kane-led side won its first game against Serbia 1-0 on the back of Jude Bellingham's goal then settled for a 1-1 and 0-0 draw against Denmark and Serbia.
Phil Foden leaves England squad for “pressing family matter”
Through this run, Foden has started in all three matches and is set to join the squad before their Round of 16 tie in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday after the birth of his third child. If the Manchester native doesn't return, Southgate could slot in Newcastle youngster Anthony Gordan or Cole Palmer of Chelsea in the front three.
We’ve got to be very careful for the players that it stays the way: Southgate
Talking about England's recent draw against Slovenia, Gareth Southgate blamed the environment around the team. Speaking to the media, the Englishman said, “I think probably expectation. We’ve made England fun again over the past six or seven years and it’s been enjoyable for the players. We’ve got to be very careful for the players that it stays the way."
"They (fans) might feel differently towards me, but we’ll only succeed if we’re together. However they feel about me, I get it, I’ve been around England for 20-plus years, I’ve seen it. My job is to guide the very best of the team and keep the perspective for them.”
