Phil Foden, the 24-year-old forward, has temporarily left the England camp to attend to a pressing family matter in the United Kingdom.
The Football Association (FA) announced Foden’s departure in a brief statement on Wednesday, without specifying the duration of his leave.
Foden has been an integral part of England’s Euro 2024 campaign, starting all three group stage matches.
However, he has struggled to replicate his impressive club form, failing to score or provide an assist in the tournament.
This dip in form has been attributed to his deployment as a left winger by England manager Gareth Southgate, a position that has limited his creative freedom.
Despite his struggles, Foden played the full 90 minutes in England’s 1-0 win over Serbia but was substituted in the second half of their draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
England finished top of Group C and will face one of the best-ranked third-place teams in the last 16 tie on Sunday evening in Gelsenkirchen.
The exact opponent will be determined after the conclusion of the group stage on Wednesday night.
Foden’s absence from the camp has raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming match.
However, the FA has not provided any further details on the nature of the family matter or the expected duration of his leave.
Fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on Foden’s situation, hoping for a swift resolution and his return to the pitch.
In the meantime, England will prepare for their last 16 tie without one of their key players.
The team’s performance in the group stage was convincing, but the absence of Foden’s creative spark and goal-scoring threat could be felt.
Southgate will need to reassess his tactics and rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Foden’s departure.
The pressure is mounting on England to perform in the knockout stages, and Foden’s absence has added an extra layer of complexity to their preparations.
The nation waits with bated breath for the outcome of Foden’s family matter and his potential return to the pitch, where he can resume his quest to make a meaningful impact on the international stage.
