New Delhi: After the heartbreaking Euro 2024 final in Berlin England’s side will be back in action when they travel to face the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League. The match will kick off on Saturday at 9:30 pm marking the beginning of a new era for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate, after an eight-year tenure, stepped down following the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Now, Lee Carsley, the former Under-21 manager who led England to European glory in 2023 steps in as interim manager with the challenge of guiding England through two crucial games.
But with a fresh start come many questions: Who will impress in this new chapter for England? Who has a point to prove as the team embarks on their Nations League journey? Let’s dive into the key figures hoping to leave their mark.
Can Lee Carsley leave his imprint?
For the first time in eight years, England have a new leader on the touchline. Lee Carsley, a 50-year-old former Everton midfielder, has a unique opportunity to show what he can offer in this interim role. While some of the biggest names in world football have been linked to the permanent England job, Carsley will hope to showcase his styleand perhaps stake his claim for a longer tenure. He is nicknamed as Carsball.
Despite guiding England to the Euro 2024 final, Southgate’s cautious approach left fans yearning for more adventurous and expressive football. This will be the task for Carsley to bring a more free-flowing and dynamic brand of play to the team. As Three Lions prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign next March, the Football Association will be looking to make a permanent appointment soon. But could Carsley, like Southgate before him, step up from the Under-21s and take the job full-time?
“It was important to put my own stamp on it while recognizing what players have done in the past,” Carsley said when announcing his 26-man squad for the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. His approach mirrors that of Arne Slot who took over at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year reign, emphasizing the need to respect the past while introducing new ideas.
The next two games will be crucial for Carsley. His authority and determination are clear, but results and performances will ultimately decide whether he has a future at the helm.
Can England redeem itself from Euro 2024 heartbreak?
Gareth Southgate manager / head coach of England stands with the team after the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
One of the most notable names returning to the England fold is Jack Grealish. The Manchester City star was left heartbroken after being omitted from Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad despite playing a key role in the qualification campaign. The 28-year-old has described missing out on the tournament as “the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career.”
Grealish has 36 England caps and was reduced to watching the Euros from afar, a painful experience that he has vowed to use as motivation going into the new season. Though he has only started one of City’s opening three Premier League matches, he will be eager to prove his worth in Carsley’s squad and make up for lost time.
“For myself now moving forward, I have to just try and use that as motivation,” said Grealish, as he eyes a spot in the team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is another player who will be looking to make an impact under Lee Carsley. The Liverpool full-back was used in an experimental midfield role during Euro 2024 but found himself sidelined after just two games. Despite this setback he played a crucial role in England’s quarter-final win against Switzerland scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout.
However, Lee Carsley has made it clear that there will be no experiments this time around. Alexander-Arnold, who has started the post-Klopp era at Liverpool strongly will be deployed as a right-back with Kyle Walker absent from the squad.
“I think for this camp especially, he’ll be a right-back playing in defence,” Carsley said, while leaving the door open for future midfield cameos. For now Alexander-Arnold will be focused on reclaiming his spot as England’s first-choice right-back.
New entries in the squad
Noni Madueke during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace FC at Stamford Bridge on September 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
One of the standout aspects of Carsley’s squad selection is the emphasis on young talent. Players like Chelsea’s Noni Madueke (22), Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White (24), Newcastle’s Tino Livramento (21), and Lille’s Angel Gomes (24) have all been handed their first senior call-ups. These young stars have been performing at a high level for their clubs and now have the chance to translate that form to the international stage.
Madueke, for instance, has been in blistering form this season, netting four goals in four games, including a hat-trick against Wolves. Gibbs-White has also impressed as part of Forest’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, while Livramento’s versatility and international eligibility options made him a coveted player for England.
Angel Gomes, once a Manchester United prodigy, will be playing in the Champions League with Lille this season, facing the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool. His experience at club level will be invaluable as he looks to cement a place in England’s senior squad. These bold selections underline Carsley’s faith in the next generation of English talent.
A fresh start
As England embark on a new chapter with Lee Carsley at the helm, many players have a point to prove. Whether it’s young stars like Madueke and Livramento looking to make their mark, or experienced campaigners like Grealish and Alexander-Arnold seeking redemption, this Nations League campaign offers a golden opportunity for players to shine.
The next two games will be crucial for England’s future. For Carsley, it’s a chance to show he can lead the team forward, and for the players, it’s a moment to stake their claim in this new era of English football.
England’s new era begins under interim manager Lee Carsley. Check out the players who have a point to prove in the Nations League and aim to make their mark. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
