Lee Carsley’s big move sure did the trick this time.
England’s temporary coach made waves by starting the Nations League game against Greece with captain Harry Kane watching from the bench. It was a gutsy decision that paid off handsomely, as the youthful squad cruised to a 3-0 triumph in Athens.
Contrast that with the defeat a month earlier when Carsley rolled the dice by fielding a team without a recognized striker due to Kane’s injury. Packed with midfielders, England ended up losing 2-1 to Greece at Wembley. Ouch.
Carsley stepped in briefly as caretaker coach after Gareth Southgate’s departure and has faced serious scrutiny ever since that historic loss to Greece. But as he prepares to hand over the managerial reins to Thomas Tuchel by the end of the year, his reputation has taken an upward swing, giving a slightly rosier tint to the horizon for the national team.
That’s precisely why he opted for Ollie Watkins instead of Kane this time around.
“We need to develop leaders within this team, and giving them chances is a step in that direction,” Carsley explained the choice to start Watkins, while also giving Liverpool’s Curtis Jones his debut.
Watkins didn’t waste time proving his worth, finding the net in the seventh minute by neatly finishing a cross from Noni Madueke, a surprise addition to the starting lineup. Madueke, aged just 22, showed what he’s made of.
The second goal was a result of Jude Bellingham’s efforts. His shot clanged off the post, then ricocheted off Greece’s keeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos, for an unfortunate own goal in the 78th minute. To seal the deal, Jones tapped in a third goal just five minutes later.
“There were tons of positives,” Carsley enthused. “I see the talent these players possess and now everyone else is getting a glimpse. It may have seemed like a gamble — you know, a risk — but I’m brimming with trust in these lads.”
Kane stepped onto the field in the 66th minute in place of Watkins. Carsley hinted that Kane would likely be in the starting eleven when England takes on Ireland this Sunday. A win would propel them back to the top division of the Nations League.
“He’s absolutely fine,” Carsley noted. “Sure, as one of the elite players, he wants to play every match. But he gets why it’s crucial for others to gain experiences like tonight. He’s a shining example for the squad.”
Scoring a goal was a big deal for Ollie, Carsley acknowledged. He emphasized that if the squad aims to lift the World Cup one day, players need as many learning experiences as possible. “It’s no dig at Harry,” he added.
Despite solid periods of play, the Greeks couldn’t get past England’s defense. Coach Ivan Jovanovic admitted England got their mojo back, halting Greece’s streak of four consecutive wins.
“England’s definitely the superior team with higher quality,” Jovanovic admitted. “Sure, the scoreboard might’ve been different, but I can’t fault my players’ hustle and determination. We were just a beat behind them. England was truly superb, and we didn’t quite hit our usual level.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
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