PHIL FODEN has left the England camp due to the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City star, 24, started the Tri Lions’ violent goalless draw against Slovenia on Tuesday night.
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Phil Foden, left, flies back to the UK for the birth of his third childCredit: Getty
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Foden and girlfriend Rebecca have two children – son Ronnie and daughter TrueCredit: Sophie Eleanor Photography / Go PR & Events
But he has now left the camp to return to the UK.
The FA confirmed he was returning to Britain due to an “urgent family matter”.
He is expected to return to camp ahead of England’s round of 16 tie on Sunday where they will face either the Netherlands or the Group E runners-up.
Premier League Player of the Year Foden already has two children with 22-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Cooke – son Ronnie, five, and daughter True, two.
The couple met at school and have been lovers since childhood.
Foden, who has 37 caps for his country, started all three of England’s Group C games against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
He struggled playing on the left, with many fans calling for him to move into the No.10 position behind Harry Kane.
This is the second consecutive tournament where an English player has been forced to fly home due to personal matters.
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Foden has been with Rebecca since they went to school together
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Foden has a son Ronnie and a daughter True with Rebecca Credits: Rex
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Rebecca spotted at the World Cup supporting FodenCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England v Senegal
Raheem Sterling has left the 2022 World Cup camp in Qatar after his house was robbed.
He later returned to the team and came off the bench in the 2–1 loss to France.
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England manager Gareth Southgate received a lot of backlash after another disappointing performance on Tuesday night.
He made just one change to the starting line-up from the first two matches, bringing on Conor Gallagher for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Gallagher was then substituted at half-time for Kobbie Mainoo against Slovenia.
No other changes were made until the 71st minute, before Cole Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon entered the ranks.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola joked back in April that Foden expecting another child could raise the level of his performance on the pitch.
The Spanish coach said: “I would like it to go in sixth gear in every action, but afterwards you are less precise, you lose the ball all the time and it is not efficient.
“You have to reduce the time to know in which moments you have to be more aggressive and calmer.
“But it’s a matter of time. He can improve a lot and he has improved a lot since the start of the season and previous seasons.
“Maybe with a third child coming for the family it will help him.”
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Foden’s stats against Slovenia on Tuesday night
It was difficult to pin down Gallagher at half-time… but Mainoo showed he is the answer, says Jack Wilshere
KOBBIE MAINOO was always my choice to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.
I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.
But I still think it was harsh on Conor Gallagher to be taken off at half-time.
First because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t seem like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
It will surely knock Gallagher’s confidence.
He probably thought this was his chance, but he’s only getting half of it.
Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in the future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
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