Lee Carsley provides an update on Mason Greenwood’s England future after the forward’s flying start to life in Ligue 1 with Marseille
Lee Carsley has revealed he ‘cannot consider’ Mason Greenwood for England selection despite his recent excellent form.
Greenwood completed a long-awaited move away from his boyhood club Manchester United this summer, with the 22-year-old moving to Ligue 1 side Marseille for a fee of £27 million.
Teaming up with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Greenwood has proven to be an instant success in the south of France.
After scoring twice on his debut against Brest, Greenwood continued his impressive start to take his tally to five goals and one assist in his first three league games.
Under other circumstances, such a start would qualify a player for selection for the national team. On Friday, interim manager Carsley was asked if he had considered Greenwood for his first team.
Lee Carsley revealed he ‘cannot consider’ Mason Greenwood for an England call-up
Greenwood has scored five goals and provided an assist in just three Ligue 1 games since joining Marseille this summer
“Mason wasn’t really a player we could consider as a player, to be honest,” Carsley said ahead of Saturday’s match against Ireland.
“I know how he is, but he wasn’t in the plans.”
Greenwood returned to competitive football last season after an 18-month absence. In January 2022, he was charged with attempted rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour after a series of graphic images and audio recordings were shared online.
The charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood denies any wrongdoing.
Although Greenwood has never been officially banned from playing for the national team by the English Football Association, he has not been included in an England squad since returning to the competition.
Recent reports suggest that Greenwood is looking to revive his international career elsewhere and could accept a call-up to his father’s native Jamaica.
Reggae Boyz’s new boss Steve McClaren is keen to offer Greenwood and other foreign-born stars an international lifeline.
The 22-year-old made his only appearance for the England national team as a substitute against Iceland in 2020
“I know the players. I met Mason and we had a little chat. I want to meet everyone when I get back and find out if they really want to come here and play for Jamaica,” he said last month, according to McAnuff Sports, an X account that posted a photo of his first press conference.
“Again, it’s the commitment. I’ll make sure we have a conversation with all the players. We have a list.
Even if players have played briefly in a competitive match for England, FIFA rules allow players to be substituted if they have played fewer than four competitive matches before the age of 21.