Euro 2024: Phil Foden temporarily leaves England camp for 'pressing family matter'
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ByOli Gent
Updated 26/06/2024 at 16:20 GMT
Phil Foden has left the England camp temporarily to deal with a personal issue back in the United Kingdom, a statement from the Football Association has said. The Manchester City forward played in all three of the Three Lions' group games so far at the tournament, most recently the goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday. England play in the last 16 on Sunday, June 30 in Gelsenkirchen.
Southgate 'won't back away' from England fans' criticism
Phil Foden has temporarily left England's Euro 2024 camp to deal with a personal issue back in the UK, the Football Association has confirmed.
The Manchester City forward has been an ever-present for the Three Lions in Germany, starting every one of the Group C games, most recently the goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday.
In a short statement, the FA confirmed that Foden had flown back to the UK but did not indicate whether he would return to Germany before Gareth Southgate's side's last 16 game, which they will play on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen.
The statement read: "Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter."
Foden and his girlfriend are reportedly expecting their third child.
It is understood that Foden's partner is heavily pregnant but faces no complications and that the City star could be available for Sunday's knock-out tie.
The 24-year-old was withdrawn late during draws against Denmark and Slovenia. Despite securing the top spot with the latter result, England have faced heavy criticism for their performances in all three games so far.
Foden is one of a number of players whose displays have come in for scrutiny.
The attacker scored 19 goals and made eight assists for his club as they secured a fourth straight Premier League title, picking up the Football Writers' Men's Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season.
But he has been unable to replicate that form on the international stage and Southgate was already forced to defend Foden after England's opening game.
“I thought Phil did an exceptional job for us on Sunday,” said Southgate.
“Other players grabbed the attention, but the way he worked for the team, defended the spaces, real intelligence in how he played.
"Towards the end of the game, he retained the ball for us in really crucial moments. We were happy with what Phil did."
Statistics from Opta say that Foden has passed to striker Harry Kane just once at Euro 2024, compared to three passes to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England will play one of the four best third-placed sides in the last 16. As it stands, they will either face the Netherlands or whoever finishes third in Group E.
Romania, Belgium, Ukraine and Slovakia all have three points and England could end up facing any one of those sides in the next round.
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