Foden’s Return:
Phil Foden was pictured back in training with the England squad on Friday after temporarily leaving the Euro 2024 camp for the birth of his third child. The Manchester City star returned to the UK following England’s draw with Slovenia to be with his girlfriend, Rebecca Cooke, as they welcomed a baby boy.
Joyous Family News:
Foden, 24, and Cooke already have two other children: son Ronnie, born in 2019, and a daughter, born in 2021. Ronnie, an Instagram celebrity with millions of followers, announced in April that his parents were expecting another child.
Back in Action:
Foden rejoined the squad in Germany ahead of their last-16 match against Slovakia on Sunday. He was seen training alongside West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen. The FA had previously announced that Foden left the team’s base at Spa and GolfResort Weimarer Land to attend to the family matter.
Manager’s Decisions:
England manager Gareth Southgate faces some selection dilemmas in midfield for the upcoming match. Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped against Slovenia, and Conor Gallagher was substituted at half-time. Kobbie Mainoo, who impressed against Slovenia, is a strong contender to start against Slovakia.
Match Expectations:
England, returning to the Veltins Arena, where they won their opening group-stage match against Serbia, are favorites to advance past Slovakia, ranked 45th in the world, and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Phil Foden’s return to training brings a boost to the England squad as they prepare for their crucial knockout match. His high spirits following the birth of his child may translate to a strong performance on the pitch, further solidifying England’s chances in the tournament.