England squad announcement LIVE: Lee Carsley reveals selection for upcoming Nations League fixtures
The Three Lions will face Greece and Finland in the Nations League this month, as interim manager Lee Carsley looks to strengthen his case for the full-time position
Interim manager Lee Carsley names his second England squad ahead of this month’s Nations League fixtures.
Carsley will once again take charge of the Three Lions as they face Greece and Finland, with the England Under-21s boss starting his interim spell in charge with convincing wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Carsley included several new phases in his first selection, including the uncapped Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes, but with the season now in full swing the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden will hope for a return.
Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke could be handed a call-up as he looks for a first England cap since 2017 after three goals in as many games for Spurs, while James Maddison has been in good form too. But will Kyle Walker return to the squad at the age of 34?
Three Lions face Greece at Wembley Thursday 10 October and Finland away from home on 13 October.
Follow the squad announcement, as well as reaction and analysis, below:
A long wait for a recall
If Dominic Solanke has been called up for the Three Lions and features for England this month it will be the longest gap between England appearances since Ian Walker from Feb 1997-Jun 2004.
And, it will be the longest by an outfield player since Frank Lampard Sr between Oct 1972-May 1980.
Solanke’s only appearance for England came in November 2017 in a friendly against Brazil.
No place for Maddison or Bowen?
Ahead of the official England squad announcement this afternoon, the Athletic are reporting that Lee Carsley continues to make surprising choices with regards to his England squads.
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has seemingly missed out on a place in the squad as has West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
Maddison was excluded from the September camp as well but hoped his recent performances would be enough for a recall. Maguire and Bowen meanwhile have been dropped.
Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, who has impressed in the Premier League, has not been included with the senior side but joins up with the Under-21 squad.
Dominic Solanke to receive England call up
It seems we have an answer to the question over Dominic Solanke.
The Spurs forward is set to be called up to the England squad for the first time in seven years according to The Athletic.
Solanke has scored three goals in six games for Tottenham since moving away from Bournemouth. He netted 21 times in 42 games for the Cherries last season but was not included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 with Harry Kane, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins the preferred forward options ahead of him.
Solanke’s only senior England appearance came in November 2017 when he featured as a substitute in a friendly against Brazil..
Will Dominic Solanke get an England spot?
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is one of the fringe players in the conversation for a place in the England squad for the October internationals.
Spurs boss, Ange Postecoglou refused to be drawn into whether the forward would get a call-up but admitted he would be ready if he did.
Postecoglou said: “I get enough stick for my own selections so I am not going to get involved in anyone else’s selections, but yeah Dom is fine.
“I can see he’s getting strong. Obviously the goals help. He’s a striker, he wants to score goals and that helps him to feel better about the beginning of his career here.
“I think he’s in great condition, he’s already made a big impact at our football club, but I’m even more excited about what’s ahead.”
Ange Postecoglou talks up Maddison’s chances of England selection
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has backed James Maddison to get selected for England when Lee Carsley’s squad is announced this afternoon.
Postecoglou said: “I think Madders has been outstanding so far this year. His form from the first game has been really strong physically.
“I’ve said a few times that he’s back at the levels where he can play in the manner he wants to and do everything he wants in a game.
“In the last two or three weeks he’s had an effect on goals and assists as well, which always gets highlighted with players in his position, but his general play has been outstanding.
“I’m sure if he continues in that vein he will be in the conversation for England squads moving forward.”
James Maddison targeting England return
James Maddison hopes to return to the England fold this week after being omitted from Lee Carsley’s first squad announcement back in September,
“I didn’t think question one would be straight in with the England stuff,” Maddison said.
“I want to be in the squad. It’s simple, every England player will tell you that. I know Lee Carsley, I worked with him at Coventry. He was my assistant with the England Under-21s under Aidy Boothroyd.
“I feel really good at the minute. I feel as fit as I’ve ever felt, really. I feel like my fitness is at an optimum level.
“Having a break over the summer, not going to the Euros, it does help. I know it’s been spoken about with Erling Haaland how he’s had a summer off and he hit the ground running and I feel the same. I feel alive on the pitch at the minute.
“I always say the same cliched thing when I get asked about the England stuff. It’s if I just take care of my performances for Spurs, which I feel like I’m doing at the minute to a high level, then the other stuff will take care of itself, hopefully.”
Pickford on Blcak History Month
Jordan Pickford believes engaging with Black History Month is a strong way to raise awareness of the issues faced in society in regards to race.
He said: “It’s a really important thing. We want everybody to feel comfortable and happy in their lives.
“Within football and within this squad specifically, we’ve all come from different cultures and backgrounds. We’re proud of that and I hope we all come together as one.
“We will always aim to help each other.”
Pickford proud to be a champion for diversity
Jordan Pickford says he is proud of the way England have been a beacon for diversity but says more progress can still be made.
He said: “I think we’ve been very good at it [raising awareness for diversity]. Not just us, but the Premier League and other nations, it’s definitely got better over the last few years.
“We’ve set our stall out in the England setups I’ve been involved in and we’ll continue to do that. We’ve been very open with it.
“We have to make sure that continues to progress. We’ve shown the world what we stand for when we wear the England badge but we know there is work to do and we will continue to aim for everybody to be treated correctly.”
Uefa threatens to ban England from Euro 2028 over ‘government interference’
Uefa has written to the UK government to warn that England could be expelled from Euro 2028 over concerns about “government interference in the running of football”.
The warning comes following government plans to set up an Independent Football Regulator (IFR) for the men’s game, with a bill to establish the regulator reintroduced in July.
In a letter to new UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis emphasised that “football regulation should be managed by the national federation”, and that the absence of government interference is “one of Uefa’s fundamental requirements”.
Uefa threatens to ban England from Euro 2028 over ‘government interference’
The threat comes amid Keir Starmer’s plans for an independent football regulator for the men’s game
Carsley’s previous England squad
Interim England manager Lee Carsley named a surprising squad for his first two fixtures in charge of the national side with four uncapped players included.
Those were Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke and three of the four (minus Livramento) made their senior England debuts during the last camp.
Carsley also omitted Marcus Rashford, James Maddison and Kyle Walker while Kieran Trippier decided to retire from international football and Jude Bellingham missed out due to injury.
Here’s a reminder of Carsley’s last squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
How many players will make the one announced this afternoon?
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