Fifty-five days after their Euro 2024 disappointment in Berlin, England returns to action against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on Saturday (17:00 BST).
This marks a new chapter for the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate’s eight-year reign ended with his resignation following a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro final on July 14. Lee Carsley, who led the England U21 team to victory in the European Championship in 2023, has stepped in as interim manager.
As England gears up for the upcoming fixtures, fans are asking who in the squad has a point to prove. Carsley has the opportunity to showcase his vision while navigating the immediate challenges.
With qualifying for the 2026 World Cup set to start next March, the Football Association will be looking to secure a permanent manager soon. Carsley aims to impress with his style of play, affectionately dubbed “Carsball,” and hopes to earn the role permanently.
Despite reaching the Euros final, England’s performance at the tournament was lackluster, and fans are yearning for a more adventurous approach on the pitch.
Fresh Faces in the Squad
Carsley has included four players in the senior squad for the first time: Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, and Lille’s Angel Gomes. He has retained a core of familiar faces from Southgate’s squad while putting his own stamp on the team.
Phil McNulty, the chief football writer for BBC Sport, commented on Carsley’s selections, describing them as “bold without being reckless” and expressing excitement over the young talent represented in the squad.
Madueke has made an impact this season with four goals, including a hat-trick against Wolves, and Gibbs-White has also impressed with his performances. Livramento, who offers significant potential, has chosen to represent England, while Gomes aims to showcase his talents in the Champions League with Lille this season.
Jack Grealish: A Chance for Redemption
Jack Grealish is back in the reckoning after being omitted from Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. The Manchester City winger contributed to England’s qualification for the tournament and played as a substitute in a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina before the Euros.
Reflecting on his exclusion, Grealish described it as “the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career,” but he is motivated to prove himself this season.
Alexander-Arnold’s Role in Transition
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made a strong start in the post-Klopp era at Liverpool. With Carsley naming him as a right-back in the squad—while omitting Kyle Walker—he is expected to solidify his position.
Carsley emphasized, “For this camp, he’ll be playing as a right-back. At some point, I imagine we’ll see Trent move into a midfield role, but I see him as a defender for now.”
As England embarks on this new journey, all eyes will be on how the team adapts under Carsley’s leadership against Ireland and Finland.
Credit: BBC Sport
