Phil Foden, Palmer and Watkins Withdraw from England Squad

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Manchester City forward Phil Foden, recently named PFA Player of the Year missed the call-up due to illness. Chelsea’s Palmer and Aston Villa’s Watkins initially joined the squad at St George’s Park but have since returned to their clubs for further rehabilitation of ongoing issues according to the Football Association.

England will face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 7 September and then host Finland at Wembley on 10 September. These matches mark England’s first games since their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on 14 July. Following that loss, Gareth Southgate resigned as manager and under-21s boss Lee Carsley took over as interim manager on 9 August.

For the upcoming Nations League games, Carsley has called up Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke. All four players previously worked with Carsley during his tenure as England Under-21 manager. Lille winger Gomes, Newcastle defender Livramento, Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White and Chelsea forward Madueke are all set to contribute to the squad.

Additionally, Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish, who was left out of England’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad has been recalled. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has also returned to the squad.