Incredible XI of English stars playing abroad as Lee Carsley turns to foreign clubs in new approach to Three Lions squad
LEE Carsley is going global as he ushers in a new approach for England’s squad selection.
Interim Three Lions boss Carsley has wasted no time stamping his mark on the senior squad after including four stars from his European Championship-winning Under-21 side.
However, England has seen a significant number of talented players head overseas for more regular football.
Three players in Carsley’s squad for the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland ply their trade overseas.
Captain Harry Kane plays his football for Bayern Munich, Conor Gallagher swapped Chelsea for Atletico Madrid this summer, while debutant Angel Gomes plays in France with Lille.
Jude Bellingham would have almost certainly been included in the side as well but was omitted after picking up a month-long injury in Real Madrid training.
Ivan Toney, who was involved in at Euro 2024 but missed the most recent squad, completed a £40million transfer to Al-Ahli – where he will earn £403,000-a-week – from Brentford on deadline day.
And there are a number of other stars also knocking on the door, such as AC Milan‘s Fikayo Tomori.
Indeed, there is an incredible potential starting XI of English talent overseas at the England manager’s disposal, which may be dipped into for the October international break.
The goalkeeping department could see Copenhagen’s Nathan Trott selected, while Kane’s Bayern team-mate Eric Dier also makes an England national team return.
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Ex-Everton star Ben Godfrey now lines up for Europa League champions Atalanta, with former Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles playing his football in France with Lyon.
Chelsea academy graduate star Ruben Loftus-Cheek could join the pair in returning in a midfield with former team-mate Gallagher and both Bellingham and Gomes.
Kane and Toney proved to be an effective pairing in their brief time together at the Euros, though there is also the consideration of who else is in contention.
Stars such as Tammy Abraham, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chris Smalling – who recently completed a move to Saudi Arabia – could make comebacks if needed.
Possible overseas England squad
Starting XI: Nathan Trott (FC Copenhagen), Ben Godfrey (Atalanta), Eric Dier (Bayern Munich), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Lyon), Angel Gomes (Lille), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid); Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Bench: Jack Butland (Rangers), Samuel Iling-Junior (Juventus), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse), Charlie Patino (Deportivo La Coruña), Chuba Akpom (Ajax), Bobby Clark (RB Salzburg), Shola Shoretire (PAOK), Marcus Edwards (Sporting Lisbon), Reece Oxford (Augsburg), Ryan Kent (Fenerbahce), John Lundstrum (Trabzonspor), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Tammy Abraham (AC Milan)
Up-and-coming starlets such as Samuel Iling-Junior, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Charlie Cresswell – all of whom made the latest England Under-21 squad – or Charlie Patino may also be in the reckoning.
Other options include Chuba Akpom, Bobby Clark, Shola Shoretire, Marcus Edwards, Jonathan Panzo, Reece Oxford, Ryan Kent, John Lundstrum or Sam Surridge.
There are even some stars who may be considered from Scotland, such as James Tavernier or Jack Butland.