Phil Foden leaves England camp for third child's birth

In a significant development, Phil Foden, the Manchester City midfielder, has departed England's Euro 2024 camp in Germany to be present for the birth of his third child. The Football Association confirmed this decision, citing a pressing family matter as the reason for his temporary absence. Foden, who has been a key player for England in the tournament, is expected to rejoin the squad before their last-16 match against Slovakia on Sunday at Gelsenkirchen. The 24-year-old Foden has been a consistent starter for England, featuring in all three of their Group C matches as they topped the pool under the management of Gareth Southgate. Despite his contributions, Foden has not been able to replicate his club form on the international stage, with England struggling to find their attacking rhythm and scoring only twice in three matches. Southgate faces challenges in balancing his wealth of attacking options to improve the team's performance. England's journey in the Euros has been a mix of highs and lows, with draws against Denmark and Slovenia following their opening win over Serbia. While they have progressed to the knockout stages as Group C winners, the team has not met the high expectations set for them as pre-tournament favorites. However, they have a favorable draw ahead, avoiding powerhouse teams like Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal until the final stages if they advance. Foden's departure for family reasons adds a personal touch to England's campaign, highlighting the balance players must strike between professional commitments and personal responsibilities. As fans await Foden's return and England's performance in the upcoming crucial match, the team aims to overcome their challenges and make a strong push in the tournament with the support of their dedicated squad and coaching staff.