Nations League

Thomas Tuchel has not influenced selection, says Lee Carsley as he names England squad

Jack Grealish included despite recent lack of action

Jack Grealish in action for England against Ireland in the Uefa Nations League Group B2 game at the Aviva Stadium in September. Phohograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Jack Grealish in action for England against Ireland in the Uefa Nations League Group B2 game at the Aviva Stadium in September. Phohograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
David Hytner
Thu Nov 07 2024 - 16:20

England interim manager Lee Carsley has said incoming boss Thomas Tuchel has had no influence on his squad selection for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.

England return to Nations League action next week, with the games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland being Carsley’s final two in charge before Tuchel takes up the role in January.

Carsley, who was capped 40 times with the Republic of Ireland as a player, said Tuchel has not been involved in the selection process. “He hasn’t had any influence on the squad selection. I’ve spoken to him by text, but it’s literally congratulations.

“I think he’s highly respectful of the job that not only myself but the staff are doing.

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“We’ve been left to it, like we always have. I still see this as a massive privilege and the trust the FA have shown us in the last three camps, this is the final two games.

“We’re looking forward to a tough game in Greece and the Republic of Ireland at home, two games we’re looking forward to.”

Tuchel was announced as England’s new permanent manager last month and the Football Association revealed the 51-year-old had signed a contract on October 8th, prior to the last round of international fixtures.

That last batch of games saw England beaten 2-1 by Greece on October 10th before winning 3-1 against Finland three days later.

Carsley has called Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis into the England squad for the first time and has kept his faith in Jack Grealish despite the forward not being involved in the past five Manchester City squads due to injury.

Grealish’s clubmate John Stones and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope both miss out, with Aaron Ramsdale returning to the squad. Declan Rice is also in after missing Arsenal’s game away to Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Curtis Jones, a late addition to the last squad after withdrawals, has made the cut and will hope to win his first cap but there is no Kobbie Mainoo, who is injured.

Carsley said it was a “good challenge” for Hall to try to hold down a place in the squad at left-back, where options are scarcer than in other positions, choosing not to call up a specialist left-back in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw.

Harwood-Bellis, who has been the captain of Carsley’s Under-21s, came through the City academy and had various loans, including at Southampton last season, before making a permanent move last summer.

England interim manager Lee Carsley during a press conference ahead of England's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland. Photograph: Jacob King/PA
England interim manager Lee Carsley during a press conference ahead of England's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Asked how much he knew about the process of Tuchel’s appointment, Carsley replied: “My focus has always been on the games, I’ve been respected in terms of being left to get on with the job.

“I think people realise how tough the job is without worrying about too much outside influence.

“We didn’t perform well in the first game and I took full responsibility for that. We responded really well in the second game and, like I say, I think it’s a really good appointment.

“We spoke about having a coach with a proven track record, Thomas has definitely got that.

“He’s a coach I’m really looking forward to watching work and handing over a strong group of players with real potential to go and win a major tournament.”

Carsley also confirmed he would be returning to work with the Under-21 squad and believes his stint in charge of the senior team will help him in that role.

“My role will be back with the Under-21s, a role that I’m really privileged to do,” he added.

“With that there’s total support for the senior team. The job’s quite clear in terms of producing and developing players to play in the senior team.

“I think I’m probably in a better position now to do that because I’ve obviously seen the level the seniors are operating at.”

England are away in the Nations League to Greece on November 14th before their game against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on November 17th.

England’s defeat to Greece at Wembley last month has left them second in Group B2, which would still earn them a promotion playoff spot. – Guardian

ENGLAND SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke, Ollie Watkins.