Crystal Palace and Newcastle United £105m duo handed huge Euro 2024 news
Gareth Southgate may be forced to try something new as the England camp is rocked by worrying news on Phil Foden.
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United duo Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon could be asked to take a leading role at Euro 2024 for England as the national side confirms worrying news on Phil Foden today.
The Manchester City star has flown home from Germany following Tuesday night's draw against Slovenia, the FA confirmed on Wednesday. An FA spokesperson said: "Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter."
The worrying news has rocked the Three Lions camp. Foden had started each of England's three Group Stage matches at Euro 2024 having dazzled in the Premier League last season.
The Player of the Season registered a staggering 19 goals and eight assists in the top flight as Pep Guardiola's side pipped Arsenal to the title. Foden has featured in all but one of England's fixtures over the past 12 months and started their last six competitive fixtures.
The short FA statement suggests that the player may be able to return for England duty in the tournament but details of the 'pressing family matter' are not yet known. Gareth Southgate's side are next in action on Sunday evening at 5 pm in the Round of 16 when they play either the Netherlands on the third-placed team in Group E.
With Foden potentially absent for that fixture and perhaps further rounds, Southgate will have to turn to his squad to fill that starting berth. That could see Crystal Palace man Eberechi Eze offered the chance to shine.
The forward, who has been linked with a £60 million exit from Selhurst Park this summer, came off the bench against Denmark and took over the left wing role from Foden for the final 20 minutes. Eze has never started a competitive match for England with four of his five caps to date coming from the bench.
Speaking about the Eagles man after this summer's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Southgate said: “It was lovely to see Eze go in and play with that swagger that he has at Palace. He’s had a couple of camps with us now and it’s good to see him getting more and more integrated with the group and feeling more comfortable in the shirt.
“We saw that beautiful gliding run where he can take people out through the middle of the pitch with the power that he has.”
England have another option to fill in for Foden while he is away in Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. The former Everton man, who joined the Magpies for £45 million in January 2023, also offers a pace and directness similar to that of Eze.
The 23-year-old made his Euros debut off the bench against Slovenia last night and impressed in the few minutes he was handed by Southgate.