Lee Carsley, the interim manager of the England national football team, has introduced a refreshing youthful evolution in his first squad selection. While he has retained some of the key players from Gareth Southgate’s era, Carsley has also injected an influx of young stars who played a crucial role in England’s victory at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023. This bold move demonstrates Carsley’s commitment to his own picks and principles, signaling a departure from playing it safe.
One notable inclusion in the squad is Angel Gomes, a former Manchester United midfielder who now plays for Lille. Carsley praises Gomes for his technical abilities and describes him as a more physical and robust central midfield player compared to what England has seen in the past.
Another beneficiary of working closely with Carsley at the under-21 level is Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White’s outstanding form in the Premier League has earned him a place in the squad. Additionally, Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, who recently scored a hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers, have also been included.
Carsley has chosen six players who played in the under-21 final, including Chelsea trio Madueke, Levi Colwill, and Cole Palmer, Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, Gomes, and Gibbs-White. These young players have shown great maturity and quality in their performances, making them exciting prospects for the future.
While Carsley has made some changes to the established guard, it is not a complete overhaul. The retirement of Kieran Trippier and the exclusion of Kyle Walker indicate a changing of the guard, but Carsley also emphasizes the need for first-team action when selecting players. This explains Walker’s omission, as he has not had much playing time this season.
Some notable absences from the squad include Marcus Rashford, who was left out of the Euros squad and has not performed well this season, and Raheem Sterling, who appears to be out of favor. Lewis Dunk and Adam Wharton, who represented England at the Euros, are also missing.
Carsley may finally utilize Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, as he believes that is where the player performs best. However, Livramento may also be given an opportunity.
In terms of experienced players, Carsley has brought back Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Manchester City forward Jack Grealish, both of whom were left out of Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024. Carsley expresses his excitement to work with Grealish and believes he has a point to prove.
Overall, Carsley’s squad selection adds layers of interest and intrigue to his England reign. He has created a blend of experience and emerging talent, which will be crucial in shaping the team’s future success.