Lee Carsley ready to banish host of regular England stars in first Three Lions squad – but Ben White to remain in exile
LEE CARSLEY is promising changes for his first England squad – but Ben White is poised to remain in exile.
The interim boss wants to put his “own stamp” on the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate departed following Euro 2024 final woe against Spain.
The start of a new chapter in English football, which could be incredibly brief or last for years, will begin at St George’s Park on Thursday afternoon.
But although Carsley will usher out some of the old squad there’s no sign of a new start for White.
The Arsenal defender has not spoken to the 50-year-old nor indicated that he will make himself available to play for the Three Lions.
And do not expect half of the summer squad to have a knife plunged into their backs by Carsley.
However, he will still show some players the international exit door while welcoming new faces to the senior set-up.
Carsley has stepped up from the Under-21s on a temporary basis for Uefa Nations League games against Ireland and Finland.
He insisted: “It’s important that we put our own stamp on the squad.”
After eight years under Southgate, Carsley must be determined to prove he is very much his own man and will want to make some clear changes.
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While he might officially be a temporary boss, Carsley will treat this like a permanent job — and be planning with the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico firmly in his mind.
Carsley oversaw England’s first U-21 Euros title in 39 years in Georgia last summer, so expect some of those younger players to earn call-ups.
Yet the big decisions will be which senior players to axe.
Here is a squad with some supremely-gifted individual players — but the England team is in no way perfect.
It does have weaknesses, as we saw during the summer in Germany.
Kieran Trippier did not enjoy a good Euros, even though he was being played out of position at left-back, and the season has not started well for him at Newcastle. He is at risk of being dropped.
Kyle Walker was talked out of quitting after Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup by Southgate and will be 36 by the time of the next global tournament.
Again, Carsley has a decision to make.
Jack Grealish, who missed out on the Euros squad having featured little at the end of last season for Manchester City, has only played 19 minutes this season, against Prem new-boys Ipswich.
Striker Ivan Toney, although part of the Euro 2024 squad, will also be sweating — and might not help his chances if he moves from Brentford to Saudi Arabia.
Ben Chilwell is not wanted by Chelsea so will presumably not be considered by Carsley.
And Marcus Rashford also seems set to remain out of the picture, although his Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire — who missed the Euros through injury — looks certain to be included.
As for younger players, Carsley, loves Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento, 21, who is a strong bet for inclusion.
Rico Lewis, 19, has started well with champions City and it would be a surprise if he is not selected.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest are also in contention.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, who scored the winner against Spain Under-21s in July’s final, would normally have been included but is struggling with an injury — as is Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
FA chief exec Mark Bullingham says he is continuing the recruitment search for a new boss.
Yet if England win in Ireland a week on Saturday and against Finland three days later – then do the same in October’s Nation League clashes with Greece and Finland – the solution will be right under the FA’s noses.
In contrast, there is still no answer in sight over the future of White.
He returned home during the World Cup in 2022 due to personal reasons.
And in Qatar there was tension between White and assistant boss Steve Holland.
But there were also other factors which led to him deciding to return to England.
Carsley, who turned down the Ireland job last year, will have Ashley Cole as his assistant.
Joleon Lescott and Tim Dittmer, the FA’s head of coaching, will also be part of the temporary backroom team.