Phil Foden was spotted having a strop against Slovenia – ‘throwing his hands’ up in the air at England team-mate Kieran Trippier.
Declan Rice also joined in moaning at the makeshift left-back during a boring 0-0 draw against the minnows ranked 45th in the world. Gareth Southgate‘s men limped into the knockout stage of Euro 2024 in the final Group C game. And while the result left them top of their group, Three Lions fans were distinctly unimpressed.
That frustration also seemed to be shared by the players, none more so than Manchester City winger Foden as the game approached the half-hour mark and his side failed to find a way through against a stubborn Slovenian backline. As he laid the ball back for Tripper – a right-back by trade – the Newcastle defender decided not to pass the ball into the middle of the pitch, where Arsenal midfielder Rice was unmarked, some 25 yards from goal.
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Trippier chose to play a through ball to Bukayo Saka, but the ball to the Arsenal attacker was intercepted by a Slovenia star and put out for a throw for the Three Lions – sparking angry reactions from Foden and Rice alike. England fans online noted how Foden threw his arms up in the air and Rice also reacted with arms wide open, pointing out that he had been in space and available to receive the ball, as Tripper seemingly raised a hand in apology.
One fan said: “Foden going mad at Trippier there.” Another commented: “Mood not ideal when you’ve Foden throwing his hands at Trippier like that. ‘Don’t blame me everyone’ vibes.”
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Another wrote: “Trippier and Foden just are not getting each other.” A fourth posted: “Foden and Trippier remind me of a pairing,” followed by a gif of the Chuckle brothers.
A fifth typed: “The right side is an absolute mess. Walker and Saka don’t work together. The left side is an even bigger mess, Foden has no idea what Trippier is doing. The midfield is being outplayed for the third game in a row.”
And a final fan concluded: “And there is the problem. Foden having a go at Trippier for not playing the ball back into a crowded middle of the park. Gordon would’ve taken that ball and ran at the defence to the byline.”