Lee Carsley’s final month in charge of England begins with a must-win clash in Athens if the Three Lions are to top their UEFA Nations League group.
The caretaker boss was not up front for the reverse fixture against Greece last month, but the result was one of England’s poorest performances and most embarrassing results in modern times. Although Jude Bellingham equalized late on, Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis scored the second of the game in stoppage time to lift the Greeks to a maiden victory on their next opponents.
Carsley have been forced to deal with a mass exodus from their 26-man squad with eight players withdrawingbut that has presented opportunities for others to impress over the next two previous games Thomas Tuchel enters the firing line on January 1.
This is the team Carsley could pick to face Greece on Thursday.
GK: Jordan Pickford – The Everton goalkeeper rarely lets his country down, but his display in the reverse fixture was perhaps his worst for the Three Lions. Still, he’ll likely start both games again this month given the lack of serious competition.
RB: Kyle Walker – The veteran full-back has suffered an injury-plagued start to the season and his performances have reflected a player who is not 100% fit. However, he is not out of the squad and Carsley can opt for his experience and recovery speed to contain the hosts at the break.
CB: Ezri Konsa – Konsa has only featured sparingly for his country so far but has a great chance 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 but managed a full 90 minutes in Helsinki last month. After an excellent campaign at Euro 2024, the Crystal Palace defender could still play an important role for the Three Lions in the years to come.
LB: Lewis Hall – The former Chelsea Academy star has enjoyed a superb start to the season, most recently blocking Bukayo Saka in Newcastle United’s 1-0 win. arsenaland is the only natural left back in this squad. He will also benefit from having a familiar face playing in front of him on the field.
CM: Angel Gomes – There is a lack of dual pivot contenders in this team, although Curtis Jones shone in a deeper midfield position for Carsley’s Under-21s. However, Gomes offered class and guile in his first appearance for England and is likely to be preferred here.
CM: Conor Gallagher – It has been a mixed start to life in Madrid for Gallagher, who will surely benefit from Tuchel’s arrival next year. His industry and athleticism may be needed in Athens.
RW: Noni Madueke – Another of Carsley’s favorites. Madueke does not go into this break in the form he was at the start of the season, but the caretaker manager has few options on the right-hand side with Saka, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all retiring. Jarrod Bowen could earn minutes off the bench.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham is capable at a deeper position, but has performed best over the past 15 months in an advanced role. the english scored his first Real Madrid goal of the season at the weekend after making a perfectly timed run behind the Osasuna defence.
LW: Anthony Gordon – Eddie Howe has experimented with Gordon on the right, but he will be used as a key outlet on the left in Athens. He is the runner that his striker will appreciate.
ST: Harry Kane – Kane’s absence was sorely felt in the reverse fixture, but Carsley have him available for Thursday’s game and there is no doubt he will be included in the starting eleven. England’s The record goalscorer currently leads the Bundesliga goalscoring charts alongside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush.
