Lee Carsley Hails England’s Squad Depth After Nations League Win Over Greece

Lee Carsley praised England’s depth of talent after their commanding 3-0 victory over Greece, a performance that highlighted the quality awaiting incoming manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite numerous withdrawals ahead of the Nations League clash in Athens, Carsley’s side maintained their push for promotion to the tournament’s top tier.

Nine players, including Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, missed England’s final two fixtures of 2024, with reports suggesting their club managers influenced the absences. England captain Harry Kane criticized the decision of those who opted out, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing international duty. However, in a surprising move, interim boss Carsley benched Kane following his comments, a decision that did not disrupt the team’s rhythm.

Ollie Watkins, starting in Kane’s place, opened the scoring early. England doubled their lead when Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos deflected Jude Bellingham’s shot into his own net. Curtis Jones sealed the win with an audacious backheel, propelling England to the top of Nations League Group B2. A victory over Ireland at Wembley on Sunday would secure their promotion to League A.

Carsley emphasized the abundance of talent available for Tuchel, who is set to assume the managerial role on January 1. He commended his squad for rising to the occasion despite the absence of key players.

“We focused on the players who were here,” Carsley said. “Tonight showed the strength and depth we have. People talked about the inexperience in the squad, but these players compete at a high level in the Premier League every week.”

The victory also served as redemption for Carsley after England’s first-ever loss to Greece at Wembley in October, a result that drew criticism for his tactical approach.

Several players delivered standout performances in Athens, with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke providing an assist for Watkins and showcasing his attacking prowess. Curtis Jones and Anthony Gordon also impressed with their energy and creativity.

Reflecting on England’s progress, Carsley expressed optimism about the team’s future. “We’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “The younger players have shown they can thrive on big stages like tonight. There were so many positives, particularly from players like Anthony and Noni, who were direct and aggressive in their play. Curtis was outstanding as well.”

Carsley confirmed that Kane will return to the starting lineup against Ireland but praised Watkins for stepping up in his absence. “It was great for Ollie to score. If we want to prepare these players to win a World Cup, they need as much experience as possible. Harry will start the next game, but tonight was a valuable opportunity for others.”

Regarding Kane’s reaction to being benched, Carsley said the striker handled it professionally. “He was fine. Top players like Harry want to play every game, but he understands the importance of giving others the chance to gain experience. He’s a great example to the squad, and I’m confident he’ll deliver on Sunday.”