'I don't think so' - Guardiola delivers Carsley crushing Foden update

By Sports Desk September 02, 2024

Phil Foden is unlikely to link up with the England squad due to illness, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Foden, who scooped the PFA's Player of the Year last month, has played just 45 minutes this season in City's 2-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day of the campaign. 

The 24-year-old had been called up by new England interim boss Lee Carsley for the Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

But Guardiola believes the midfielder will not be fit enough to link up with his national side, saying after their win over West Ham: “I don’t think so right now.

“I think he will not go but I don’t know. He doesn’t feel well. But national teams, they decide.

“He doesn’t feel good. It’s his stomach, a little virus. But the people said with antibiotics and so on he will be fine.”

Foden’s absence from the England squad will be the second notable name to miss out from their Euro 2024 squad, with Jude Bellingham nursing a calf injury. 

The City man enjoyed a stellar season under Guardiola last term, producing 39 goal involvements (27 goals and 12 assists) in all competitions.

But that form failed to transpire during Gareth Southgate's tenure, further highlighted by not registering a goal or an assist for the Three Lions at their most recent tournament.

Foden's best position within the England squad has been the centre of attention in recent seasons, often operating out wide rather than centrally where he has proved to be more effective for his club.

He has made 41 appearances for England but scored just four goals, with his last strike for his country coming in an international friendly against Scotland last year.

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    Haaland, standing in for injured skipper Martin Odegaard, watched on as his side suffered a second-half collapse at the Raiffeisen Arena. 

    The Manchester City striker became his nation's all-time top scorer with a brace in their 3-0 win over Slovenia, taking his total to 34 goals in 36 games, and threatened to add to that tally when he struck the post in the sixth minute.

    However, a dominant start by the hosts was rewarded when Marko Arnautovic thundered his side in front in the eighth minute with a fierce effort off the crossbar. 

    However, Norway found themselves level six minutes before half-time when Alexander Sorloth headed Julian Ryerson's free-kick beyond the on-rushing Patrick Pentz. 

    Andreas Hanche-Olsen's foul on Christoph Baumgartner inside the box proved to be the beginning of the end for Norway, with Arnautovic stepping up to score the resulting penalty.

    Austria increased their lead soon after through Philipp Lienhart's header, with Stefan Posch nodding the hosts 4-1 in front after being picked out at the back post by Marcel Sabitzer.

    The rout was complete in the 71st minute, with Sabitzer again the architect, teeing up Michael Gregoritsch with yet another header to send Austria joint-top of Group B3. 

  • Spalletti urges Italy to learn from Belgium mistake against Israel Spalletti urges Italy to learn from Belgium mistake against Israel

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    Italy are top of their group, one point ahead of France, who smashed Israel 4-1 on Thursday.

    Spalletti's side were held to a 2-2 draw with Belgium on the same day, throwing away an early two-goal lead after Lorenzo Pellegrini was dismissed for striking out at Arthur Theate.

    The Azzurri manager referenced that error as Spalleti urged his side to use the Belgium draw as a learning curve.

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    "The problem we learned from the last game is that in football one incident can ruin all the good work, so we must always learn from our mistakes."

    Italy defeated Israel 2-1 in their first group-stage meeting thanks to goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean in Budapest.

    Spalletti expects another stern examination, however, as Israel aim to bounce back from their thrashing by France last time out.

    "I don't know exactly who will start because it's a very delicate game with many hidden dangers," Spalletti added before confirming Guglielmo Vicario will start in goal instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

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    Noting that while they’re playing for victory, he’s not looking at teams now, he’s focused on his team to see where the season takes them, whilst praising his competent returning players.

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     “We have a fairly young team this year, a group of grade 5 boys coming out to play some really nice football, they were up against the defending champions which is very good and for me they performed the best they could.” said Pryce.

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    In another St. Andrew match, 2023 finalist Hillel, the Zone 2 favorite, took home the gold with a 7-2 score at the end of the match to secure their move to the next round. While both teams were tied at halftime, Hillel took things up a notch in the second half to score 5 more points.

    “It was our first game and we just wanted to see how the boys would play real competitively, and they did well; apart from a few mistakes we got back in our game in the second half and scored some goals, tried to get the benchers in and get some experience for the new ones but all in all, we have more work to do because I’m quite sure there are better teams out there to play; we’re looking forward to that; we need the challenge to ensure our team is ready.” said coach Nicholas Locke of Hillel Academy.

     

    Coach-nominated Players of the Match for the 2024 season’s opener included St. Hugh’s James Whittingham and Hillel’s Jace Lowe.

    Other matches played in Saturday’s season opener included: Lannaman’s Prep VS Mount Alvernia Prep (2-0), Creative Kids VS Ardenne Prep (0-1), Emmanuel Christian Academy VS Portmore Missionary Prep (8-0) and Sts. Peter and Paul VS Our Lady of the Angels Prep (11-0).

     

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