Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Phil Foden is unlikely to join England’s squad for their upcoming Nations League matches.
The PFA Player’s Player of the Year award winner scored 19 goals for the Citizens last season. However, the star attacker is having a dismal start to the new 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
Foden was absent from Manchester City’s recent victories over Ipswich Town and West Ham United. He was last seen playing against Chelsea as a substitute for a meagre 45 minutes.
GUARDIOLA – FODEN UNLIKELY TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND
The manager has revealed that the 24-year-old is suffering from stomach pain and is taking antibiotics for the same. Hence, there are high chances that he might not recover in time to join England interim boss Lee Carsley’s squad this week.
As quoted by the Evening Standard, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so right now. I think he will not go, but I don’t know. He doesn’t feel well — otherwise he would be here. But like I said before, national teams decide.”
“He doesn’t feel good. It’s his stomach, a little, little virus. Some people said antibiotics and so on will be fine.”
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The bug is creating a problem for Foden, who continues to miss the opening games of the season. Guardiola expects him to be back on time to face Brentford on the 14th of September.
Foden Needs to Break England Goal Drought
The City Academy graduate played every match for his national side in the Euros 2024 and has 41 caps for them (30 caps from direct start). But he didn’t score any goal in the campaign held in Germany.
Phil Foden is going through a goal-scoring drought, as he has gone 14 games without scoring or providing an assist for England. His last goal came against Scotland in September 2023.
He needs to work on his form or risk losing his spot in the starting XI. He is an absolute starter for Guardiola, but Carsley has options on the bench in case Foden doesn’t perform.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish’s name is right there on the squad list after missing out on the latest Euros campaign. He might fancy his chances to impress the new interim boss.
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Foden is not the only high-profile player to be missed. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham will also be sidelined due to a muscular problem. The FA haven’t directly confirmed the City star’s absence, but we don’t expect Carsley to keep an injured player on the bench.
The Three Lions are set to face Ireland (7th Sept., 17:00 BST) and Finland (10th Sept., 19:45 BST) for the Nations League second-tier games.
England will be aiming to achieve promotion after suffering a heartbreak in the 2022–23 season.
