Football

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins have been ruled out of England's upcoming Nations League matches due to injuries and illness. The trio will miss the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, which will be England's first under interim manager Lee Carsley.Chelsea's Palmer, who scored in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, has returned to his club with an injury. Aston Villa striker Watkins has also returned to his club with an injury. Manchester City forward Foden did not join up with Carsley's squad due to illness.The match against Ireland will be England's first since Gareth Southgate's eight-year reign as manager ended. Carsley has been placed in temporary charge and has given Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes their first call-ups.England will face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before hosting Finland at Wembley three days later in League B. No further additions are planned to the squad at this time, according to the English Football Association.The absence of Foden, Palmer, and Watkins is a blow to Carsley, who will be looking to make a positive start to his tenure as interim manager. The trio are all key players for their respective clubs and would have been expected to play a major role in England's upcoming matches.Despite the setbacks, Carsley will be confident that his team can get positive results against Ireland and Finland. England have a strong squad, and Carsley will be hoping to get the best out of his players in his first games in charge.

Manchester City's Phil Foden has been crowned the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, a testament to his exceptional performances that propelled City to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.Foden's contributions were pivotal in City's triumph, as he netted 19 goals and provided eight assists, playing a key role in the team's success. His impact was particularly evident in the thrilling title race, where City pipped Arsenal to the crown on the final day of the season."Winning this award is a huge honor and something I'm incredibly proud of," said Foden. "To be recognized by my fellow professionals means the world to me, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who voted for me."Foden's accolades extend beyond the PFA award, as he also claimed the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. His achievements highlight his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to excellence.Manchester City's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed Foden's triumph: "We're thrilled for Phil to receive this award. To be recognized by his peers in this way is a testament to his exceptional abilities and dedication.""Phil embodies everything we stand for at Manchester City. He's a supremely talented player who constantly strives for improvement. He's a humble and popular figure throughout the club, and we're immensely proud of him."Foden's success is not limited to the individual level. He has also played a crucial role in City's dominance in the Premier League, helping the team secure four consecutive titles. His determination to achieve further success is evident in his aspirations for a fifth successive crown."Last season was unforgettable for everyone at the club, but our focus is now on achieving even more this season," said Foden.Foden's PFA Player of the Year award is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contributions to Manchester City's remarkable achievements. His talent, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of excellence make him a true inspiration for aspiring footballers.

Gareth Southgate faces a dilemma as he attempts to unlock the potential of Phil Foden at international level. Despite his exceptional form for Manchester City, Foden has struggled to replicate his brilliance for England.In England's 1-0 victory over Serbia, Foden's performance was underwhelming. The 24-year-old, who was named Premier League Player of the Year, appeared uncomfortable on the left wing, a position he is not accustomed to playing.Southgate's decision to deploy Jude Bellingham as the number 10 and Bukayo Saka on the right flank has pushed Foden out wide. However, Foden's strengths lie in the central attacking role, where he can dictate the tempo and create chances.Former England defender Micah Richards believes Southgate is not utilizing Foden's talents effectively. "When you have an extreme talent like Phil Foden, his best work has been in the middle of the pitch," Richards said.Rio Ferdinand suggests that Bellingham's assertive nature may be limiting Foden's influence. "Jude Bellingham has come into this team and his body language has said to everyone 'give me the ball or I will go nuts'," Ferdinand said.Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas urges Foden to take responsibility for his international struggles. "It's about if you want the ball enough to make the difference. Do you enjoy getting the ball under pressure?" Fabregas said.Southgate must find a solution to the Foden conundrum. Switching Bellingham to central midfield and giving Foden the number 10 role could be a viable option. Alternatively, Southgate could consider using Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon on the left wing, allowing Foden to play in his preferred position.Until Southgate finds a way to harness Foden's talent, England will continue to miss out on the full potential of one of their most gifted players.

Manchester City has once again proven their dominance in the Premier League, securing their fourth consecutive title with a resounding 3-1 victory over West Ham United. Pep Guardiola's side has now etched their name in history as the first team to win the league four times in a row.The title race was a thrilling three-way battle for much of the season, with Arsenal and Liverpool holding the lead at various points. However, City's relentless form in the second half of the campaign saw them overtake their rivals and claim their sixth league title in the past seven seasons.Arsenal harbored faint hopes on the final matchday, but City's clinical performance at the Etihad Stadium extinguished those aspirations. Mikel Arteta's team, meanwhile, struggled against Everton, despite a late goal from Kai Havertz.City's triumph was sealed within the opening minutes, as Phil Foden, the recently crowned Premier League Player of the Season, netted twice in quick succession. Mohammed Kudus briefly gave West Ham and Arsenal fans a glimmer of hope with a stunning strike, but Rodri's goal in the second half effectively ended the contest.Despite missing a few chances, Erling Haaland's contribution to City's success cannot be understated. The Norwegian striker has been a revelation since joining the club, and his goalscoring prowess has been instrumental in their title triumph.Guardiola's tactical acumen and the team's unwavering belief have been key factors in their continued dominance. City's ability to control possession, create chances, and defend resolutely has made them a formidable force in the Premier League.

Manchester City stand on the cusp of history as they aim to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side, who have dominated English football in recent years, are two points clear of Arsenal heading into the final round of fixtures.A victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium would seal the title for City, while a draw or defeat would leave the door open for Arsenal if they beat Everton. Should City triumph, they would become the first team in English top-flight history to win four successive titles.The achievement would be all the more remarkable considering the dominance of Liverpool in the 1970s and 1980s, Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal's 'Invincibles' team. England forward Phil Foden believes that such a feat may never be repeated."It's history and I don't think I can ever see it being done again," said Foden, who was named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. "It's something the team knows, the team understands and we're looking forward to trying to get it done."City's quest for a fourth title comes after a remarkable season in which they won the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. They are now chasing the double this term, with the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 25.Foden, who missed the FWA ceremony to focus on City's preparations, is eager to add to his trophy collection. "If we can win these next two finals, then go into the tournament (Euro 2024) full of confidence," he said."We'll give everything to try and achieve success and try and do the Premier League four times which has never been done before. It would mean a lot to us."City's success has been built on a foundation of attacking football and a relentless pursuit of trophies. Guardiola has instilled a winning mentality in his players, who have consistently performed at the highest level.Should City secure the title on Sunday, they will cement their place as one of the greatest teams in English football history. Their achievement would be a testament to the brilliance of Guardiola and the exceptional talent of his players.

Manchester City's relentless pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title reached a crescendo on Saturday as they swept aside Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage. Josko Gvardiol's brace, Phil Foden's clinical strike, and Julian Alvarez's late penalty propelled Pep Guardiola's side to the summit of the standings.Gvardiol, a Croatian defender, opened the scoring with a composed finish after a flowing 19-pass move. Foden doubled City's lead in the second half, capitalizing on a tackle that halted Bernardo Silva's run into the area. Gvardiol then netted his second, stretching to convert Silva's cross with an agile close-range finish.Fulham's hopes of a positive result were dashed when Issa Diop was sent off for fouling Alvarez in the penalty area. The Argentine striker stepped up to convert the spot-kick, sealing a comprehensive victory for City.With two wins remaining in their title charge, City now hold a two-point advantage over Arsenal. If the Gunners fail to win at Manchester United on Sunday, City will be crowned champions with a victory over Tottenham on Tuesday or West Ham in their final game on May 19.Guardiola hailed Gvardiol's unexpected goalscoring prowess, describing him as "unbelievable with both feet." He also praised his team's performance, saying, "We played really well and now we recover, then come back to London to play the big final (against Tottenham) to try to retain our title."Despite Arsenal's remaining fixtures, City know that two more victories will secure a remarkable six titles in the last seven seasons. Guardiola emphasized the importance of pressure for his players, saying, "The great players enjoy playing with great pressure. These players in the last few years have been able to do it and we are again in the latter stages."City's 16th successive win against Fulham also mathematically ended Liverpool's title challenge. Guardiola's superstitious decision to wear a jumper in the searing heat drew attention, with the Spaniard explaining, "I used this outfit many times so we keep it as it is. Even if it is 45 degrees!"

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that England has the potential to triumph at Euro 2024, drawing parallels to his club's journey to Champions League glory. Guardiola, who guided City to their maiden European crown last season, sees similarities between the English national team and his own squad.England has endured a string of near misses in recent tournaments, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and a quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup. However, Guardiola believes that the Three Lions are on the cusp of success."They are really good. It's not just the talent of the strikers, it's the whole package, the whole group," Guardiola said. "Gareth [Southgate] knows perfectly what he has to do."Guardiola emphasized the importance of belief and the unwavering support of the English fans. "When you arrive at these stages every two years, it's going to happen. It's quite similar to us, we were close, and in the end we lifted it," he said.The Spaniard also highlighted the role of Phil Foden, who has emerged as a key player for both City and England. "If he continues his career until the end here, and continues that level, he can be one of the best, that's for sure," Guardiola said.Guardiola's comments come as England prepares for their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which begins in March. The Three Lions will be aiming to build on their recent progress and finally break their trophy drought.

The highly anticipated clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Despite the absence of key players like Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake, City managed to hold their own against the defending champions.The match was a testament to the attacking prowess of both teams, with six goals scored in total. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Josko Gvardiol found the net for City, while Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Rodrygo scored for Real Madrid.City's goals were particularly impressive, with Silva's near-post finish and Gvardiol's powerful strike standing out. Jack Grealish played a pivotal role in both goals, drawing fouls and setting up his teammates.Real Madrid, known for their ability to score in bunches, showed their resilience by coming back from a 2-1 deficit to level the score. Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo used their pace and precision to exploit City's high line.Despite the high-scoring affair, both teams had their defensive moments. Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni formed a formidable partnership to limit Erling Haaland's impact, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric controlled the midfield.The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. City will be confident after scoring three goals away from home, but Real Madrid have a proven track record of winning at some of Europe's most prestigious venues.

Phil Foden, the 23-year-old Manchester City prodigy, has emerged as a formidable force in the Premier League, earning accolades as the league's best player from his manager, Pep Guardiola. However, his role in Gareth Southgate's England setup remains uncertain as Euro 2024 approaches.Foden's exceptional talent has been evident since his youth, and he has amassed an impressive collection of 14 major trophies with Manchester City. This season, he has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing 18 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances. Guardiola has hailed Foden as "the best player in the Premier League right now," citing his versatility and ability to win games with his goals.Despite his club form, Foden has yet to make a similar impact for England. He has been part of Southgate's squad for the past two major tournaments but has struggled to secure a regular starting role. His versatility has proven to be both a blessing and a curse, as he faces competition from a plethora of talented English players.In the England midfield, Foden has been overshadowed by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, who has established himself as one of the world's best at just 20 years old. On the right wing, he faces competition from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who impressed at the World Cup and has earned Southgate's trust.As a result, Foden has been relegated to competing with Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish for a place on the left side of the England attack. While he is capable in that position, there is a sense that he has been sacrificed to accommodate others. His international goal tally of four from 31 appearances pales in comparison to his prolificacy for Manchester City.Former England captain Alan Shearer believes Foden should be an automatic starter for England, praising his ability to receive the ball in tight situations and make it look easy. Gary Neville, another former England international, has criticized Southgate for not finding a suitable role for Foden, calling him "a sensation" and "something really, really special."With Euro 2024 on the horizon, the pressure is on Southgate to find a solution that allows Foden to showcase his full potential for England. The possibility of playing both Foden and Bellingham centrally, with Declan Rice behind them, has been suggested by many fans and pundits. However, Southgate has favored a more defensive-minded approach in the past.Foden's form has made him impossible to ignore, and Southgate must now find a way to accommodate his array of attacking talent while ensuring balance in the team. The upcoming international fixtures will provide an opportunity for Foden to prove his worth and stake his claim for a starting role at Euro 2024.