Lee Carsley’s remaining month accountable for England begins with a must-win encounter in Athens if the Three Lions are to prime their UEFA Nations League group.
The interim boss went striker-less for the reverse fixture towards Greece final month however the end result was one in every of England’s poorest performances and most embarrassing outcomes of contemporary occasions. Regardless of Jude Bellingham equalising late on, Benfica ahead Vangelis Pavlidis scored his second of the sport in stoppage time to carry the Greeks to a maiden victory over their upcoming opponents.
Carsley has been compelled to cope with a mass exodus from his 26-man squad with eight gamers withdrawing, however that has introduced alternatives for others to impress over the subsequent two video games earlier than Thomas Tuchel enters the firing line on 1 January.
Here is the group Carsley may decide to face Greece on Thursday.
GK: Jordan Pickford – The Everton goalkeeper not often lets his nation down however his show within the reverse fixture was maybe his worst for the Three Lions. Nonetheless, he’ll doubtless begin each fixtures once more this month given the dearth of great competitors.
RB: Kyle Walker – The veteran full-back has endured an injury-hit begin to the season and his performances have mirrored a participant who is just not 100% match. Nevertheless, he isn’t withdrawn from the squad and Carsley might go for his expertise and restoration pace to comprise the hosts on the break.
CB: Ezri Konsa – Konsa has solely featured sparingly for his nation thus far however he is acquired an amazing probability to impress this month with the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire absent from the squad.
CB: Marc Guehi – Guehi missed the reverse fixture however acquired a full 90 minutes below his belt in Helsinki final month. After a wonderful Euro 2024 marketing campaign, the Crystal Palace defender may but play a giant half for the Three Lions within the coming years.
LB: Lewis Corridor – The previous Chelsea academy star has loved an excellent begin to the season, just lately locking down Bukayo Saka in Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, and is the one pure left-back on this squad. He’ll additionally profit from having a well-recognized face enjoying forward of him on the pitch.
CM: Angel Gomes – There is a lack of double pivot contenders on this squad, though Curtis Jones did shine in a deeper midfield place for Carsley’s Underneath-21s. Nevertheless, Gomes supplied class and guile on his maiden England look and is prone to be most popular right here.
CM: Conor Gallagher – It has been a blended begin to life in Madrid for Gallagher, who’ll absolutely profit from Tuchel’s arrival subsequent yr. His trade and athleticism could also be required in Athens.
RW: Noni Madueke – One other Carsley favorite. Madueke does not enter this break within the type he was in on the very begin of the season, however the interim supervisor has few alternate options down the fitting flank with Saka, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all pulling out. Jarrod Bowen may earn minutes off the bench.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham is succesful in a deeper place, however he is carried out at his finest for the previous 15 months in a complicated function. The Englishman scored his first Actual Madrid objective of the season on the weekend after making a perfectly-timed run in behind Osasuna’s defence.
LW: Anthony Gordon – Eddie Howe has experimented with Gordon off the fitting of late, however he’ll be used as a key outlet down the left in Athens. He is the runner his striker will respect.
ST: Harry Kane – Kane’s absence was hard-felt within the reverse fixture, however Carsley has him accessible for Thursday’s recreation and there isn’t any doubt he’ll be included within the beginning XI. England’s file goalscorer presently leads the Bundesliga scoring charts alongside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush.
