Interim England boss Lee Carsley ‘wanted to make his own stamp’ on the new England squad as he explains dropping Kyle Walker and calling up four uncapped players
England interim manager Lee Carlsey has named his first England squad ahead of the Nations League matches.
The head coach surprised many by deciding not to include several experienced players, such as Kyle Walker and Marcus Rashford, in the national team.
The decision comes after the Ny Breaking reported that Arsenal defender Ben White’s exile is expected to continue following a disagreement with former manager Gareth Southgate two years ago.
Carsley has made significant changes to the squad by selecting four players who have not played before: Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke.
In addition, Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish has also returned to the national team after being left out by Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
England’s interim manager Lee Carlsey has made a number of unexpected decisions ahead of the Nations League matches
Carlsey explained that he wants to include four players who have not played an international match before and why each of them can have a big impact on the team’s performance.
“I will ask players to play to their strengths. I have worked with most of these players,” the manager said. “I wanted to put my own stamp on the squad.
“The new players I’ve called up are exciting. They were great calls to make.”
“Morgan is attacking, full of energy and a great attitude. Excellent work ethic. Many of the players I’ve called up are used to winning.”
He surprised many by calling up former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes, a player who has never played for the England first team and currently plays for Ligue 1 club Lille.
The 23-year-old player is currently injured but is expected to be in top condition ahead of the Nations League matches.
‘Angel is different to what we have seen in midfield before. He controls the game with skill and technique rather than being robust,’ the interim manager added.
Noni Madueke is another youngster to make his debut for the England national team. He has made 20 appearances and scored seven goals for the under-21s, including two in his last game against Serbia under-21s.
‘He (Madueke) has done really well for the 21s and I think he will be really important in this camp. He will bring energy.
“We are coming off a lost final and maybe need an injection of energy and enthusiasm. The new players will bring that.”
Carsley spoke about the unfortunate players who have not returned to the squad and named Kyle Walker, who has not yet played for Manchester City this season.
“I wanted to make a mark on the squad. Kyle hasn’t played this season. City are phasing him in and we have to respect that.
‘I see Harry Maguire as a very good leader. There are a few young defenders in the squad who still have to learn.’
As Mail Sport previously revealed, Carsley has confirmed that Ben White has made it clear he does not want to be in the England squad. He said: ‘As far as I know, he was not available for selection and nothing has changed in my two weeks.
‘That’s where we are now. I’ve seen press reports that he’s open to it, but nothing has changed.
“He hasn’t made himself available for selection so I’m not sure what to do with that,” he added
The interim boss praised his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, and also expressed his confidence in his abilities, saying: ‘Gareth has been very helpful. I have a great relationship with him and had that when I was with the 21s.
“I’m really confident in the job I can do. We have a real capacity to be successful in the future.
‘The aim for the next England manager is to win something.
‘I have hired coaches that I can trust. Good coaches, but more importantly, good people.
“Spain have done well (in promoting their first-team coach) but that doesn’t mean it’s a blueprint,” Carsley added of Luis de la Fuente’s appointment as first-team coach in January 2023.
Carsley was commenting on his appointment as interim manager after it emerged that the FA directors were very impressed with the progress of the Under-21s.
‘I know how an international camp works. I feel supported and trusted by the FA board.
I think I’m a safe pair of hands.
“I spoke to Gareth after the decision. I wanted him to know what was happening before the news actually came out,” the manager said, before adding that he is not focused on keeping the job permanently.
“I didn’t think about it too much. I’ve learned in the past that I put so much energy into saying I didn’t want the job that I forgot to do the job.
“The best person will get this job. I trust those involved to appoint the right person.”
Asked if he would take the job if it were offered tomorrow, the 50-year-old replied confidently: “Well, let’s see how the game goes.”
Carlsey noticed that many fans criticized the national team’s playing style during the European Championship under Gareth Southgate.
Several supporters, former footballers and pundits described England as ‘tired’ and ‘lifeless’ despite being the second best team in the tournament.
‘I felt frustrated. My role in the summer was not to watch England. I was analysing another group.
“I think we played well in some areas, but not as well as we could have in other areas. The expectations are so high and I felt frustration.
“But it has to be high. We have world-class players.”
The England manager has made it clear that he would rather see Trent Alexander-Arnold in defence than in midfield, the role he played at Euro 2024, in a move that has sparked much debate.
‘Trent position? For me and for this camp he will be a right back. Modern full backs have all-round qualities that make them almost midfielders.
‘At some point we will see TAA emerge in midfield, but I see him as a right back.’
More to come.