England Squad Hits Snag: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins Withdraw from Nations League Matches
England manager Lee Carsley faces a challenge for the upcoming Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland with the withdrawal of three key players: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins.
Player Withdrawals:
- Phil Foden: The Manchester City playmaker has been ruled out due to a stomach bug, which has kept him sidelined from City’s recent games. Pep Guardiola had already indicated that Foden was unlikely to join the national team this month.
- Cole Palmer: The Chelsea youngster is dealing with ongoing injury issues and will remain at Chelsea for further rehabilitation.
- Ollie Watkins: The Aston Villa striker, who had recently played in Villa’s win over Leicester City, has also withdrawn, although the specifics of his issue have not been detailed.
England Squad Adjustments:
Despite the withdrawals, England are not planning to call up replacements. This decision opens the door for potential debutants:
- Morgan Gibbs-White: The Nottingham Forest midfielder is expected to step up in attack.
- Noni Madueke: The Chelsea winger, who has been in good form, may have a better chance to feature prominently.
- Angel Gomes: Lille’s playmaker could be considered for the number 10 role.
With Ollie Watkins out, and Ivan Toney previously overlooked, Harry Kane remains the primary striker. Should anything happen to Kane, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen might be the next option for the number nine position.
The Three Lions will look to navigate these challenges under Carsley’s temporary leadership and secure a strong start in their Nations League campaign.
England Squad Hits Snag: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins Withdraw from Nations League Matches
