Life under Lee Carsley is a lot of fun, eh?
The dawn of a new era in English football began with a comfortable 2-0 win in Dublin against a noisy Irish side, with former Ireland players Jack Grealish and Declan Rice getting their names on the scoresheet.
Carsley’s side are expected to continue their UEFA Nations League campaign this time around as they endured defeat in League B.
The interim manager is looking at a dynamic game at the weekend with a few top-scoring faces coming off the bench. Carsley has surprisingly retained the core that Gareth Southgate trusted towards the end of his tenure, but injuries and squad withdrawals have forced the former Under-21 manager to reconsider.
Here’s how England could line up at Wembley on Tuesday.
GK: Jordan Pickford – This man who is not used to badmouthing his country is now leading England. He should enjoy another quiet night as he kept a clean sheet on Saturday.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Carsley has made it clear that he views Alexander-Arnold as a right-back, and the Liverpool star should make a rare start in a row for the Three Lions with the likes of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, and Reece James out of the squad.
CB: John Stones – The Manchester City defender has enjoyed a slow start to the season following his Euro 2024 exploits, and was unavailable at the weekend. However, he could fit into Carsley’s squad at Wembley.
CB: Harry Maguire – It’s good that the man is rejoining the Three Lions after missing out on England’s summer tour. Maguire started against Ireland and should re-emerge as a key figure in the national team. Marc Guehi may also keep his place.
LB: Levi Colwill – Alexander-Arnold’s position on the right means that centre-back-by-trade Colwill is a useful option at left-back. The Chelsea defender made his England debut on Saturday against Carsley despite the likes of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell.
DM: Kobbie Mainoo – There are holes in Mainoo’s game, but the ability, especially in handling the ball, is undeniable. He helped England dominate in Dublin on Saturday and quickly established himself at international level as he impressed during the Euro 2024 qualifying phase.
DM: Declan Rice – No anti-national celebration that was hurt before? Utter evoked nonsense or one of football’s top ten respectable moments? Either way, there’s no denying that Rice’s strike in Dublin was a bit of a joke. He will be able to enjoy a rare international goal if he finds the net again on Tuesday.
RW: Bukayo Saka – The two-time England Player of the Year has started the new season in fine style for Arsenal, and there is no one to take his right hand on Tuesday. Noni Madueke will hope to start playing in England from the bench.
AM: Eberechi Eze – A number of withdrawals and possible changes could open the door for Eze to start as England’s creative talisman on Tuesday. Eze flashed his magic for the Three Lions, but will be looking to prove himself on the international stage after a quiet Euro.
LW: Anthony Gordon – Jack Grealish was excellent at the weekend and another sensational goalscorer, but Carsley understands attacking power and the need for balance. Gordon stretches the field and is the back runner that England’s talisman needs.
ST: Harry Kane – Speaking of whom, Kane, given his ability to run deep and spread, will always do better with the runners in front of him. There was promise in Dublin after the difficult Euros. Kane remains a key figure for the Three Lions and will love to score a few on Tuesday,
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