Outgoing England interim supervisor Lee Carsley says his determination to begin Ollie Watkins over Harry Kane towards Greece was ‘no slight’ on his captain.
The Three Lions had suffered 9 withdrawals from their preliminary squad introduced final week, though Kane remained out there for choice and got here on for Watkins within the 66th minute.
However Carsley’s determination paid off, with Watkins placing England forward after simply seven minutes, together with his fifth worldwide purpose setting them on the best way to a 3-0 win in Athens, with an personal purpose and Curtis Jones rounded off the scoring.
“It was good for Ollie to get a purpose,” Carsley mentioned. “It’s necessary that I believe if we’re going to put these gamers able the place we’re going to go and win the World Cup, then these gamers must have as many experiences as they’ll.
“So, it was no slight on Harry. He’ll begin the subsequent recreation and I believe there are plenty of positives to take from that efficiency.”
When requested how the England captain reacted to not being named within the beginning XI, Carsley defined that Kane had no points with it.
“He was completely advantageous. It could be honest to say he desires to play each recreation, like all prime gamers do,” he mentioned.
“I believe he understands that it’s necessary that different gamers expertise that form of expertise that we had tonight.
“He’s a fantastic instance to the remainder of the gamers and I anticipate him to begin on Sunday and play properly.”
Very good efficiency. Very good consequence. pic.twitter.com/uuWB8TBsee
— England (@England) November 14, 2024
The choice to begin Watkins over Kane got here alongside different choice choices, as Rico Lewis, Noni Madueke, Jones, Lewis Corridor and Morgan Rogers all featured for a youthful England facet, with the latter three making their senior debuts.
Regardless of Carsley’s roots as England Below-21 coach, he assured the post-match media that there was no nepotism on his half to incorporate the extra inexperienced gamers.
“No, none in any respect, to be honest,” the interim boss mentioned. “None in any respect.
“I see the standard that the gamers have gotten. You’re now seeing it when it comes to the youthful ones, that they’re greater than succesful with the mentality and high quality they’ve bought to play in levels like tonight.
“I assumed plenty of the gamers, particularly the youthful ones – properly, the entire gamers, to be honest – performed with such high quality tonight.
