Interim England manager Lee Carsley insists all the focus will be on the players available for the Three Lions’ Nations League clash with Greece on Thursday.
Carsley was responding to questions about captain Harry Kane’s interview with ITV during which he expressed unhappiness at the number of players who have pulled out of the squad this week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Levi Colwill and Jarrad Branthwaite have all dropped out of the upcoming fixtures in Athens and at Wembley three days later against the Republic of Ireland.
Lee Carsley has confirmed that Jarell Quansah has been added to our #ThreeLions squad.
The defender replaces Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite who failed to overcome an injury from the weekend and will return to his club.
— England (@England) November 13, 2024
Carsley refused to engage directly with Kane’s comments, but did say he does not find player pull-outs disrespectful and that the focus should be on the players available.
Carsley said: “The focus all camp has been on the players here. It’s important that we make the most of the situation and with the amount of players that have pulled out, it gives other players an opportunity to be here.
“The players that are here are massively proud to be here and are highly motivated for the game. It’s a game we have to win, so our focus is fully on that.
“We’re really looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a touch test for us and the focus has purely been on the players that are here.”
Carsley, who is taking charge of his final camp before incoming manager Thomas Tuchel takes over next year, praised the culture created by previous boss Gareth Southgate and insisted the relationship between England and the players’ clubs is strong.
“We’ve got a really good relationship with all of the clubs. Especially the medical departments,” added Carsley.
“The players we had doubts about, that’s why we went with a bigger squad. They were assessed and sent back so there are no problems our way.”
Athens arrivals. 🛬 pic.twitter.com/4KCjrmmxs1
— England (@England) November 13, 2024
About the game itself, when England will be looking to avenge a 2-1 defeat suffered in the reverse fixture back last month, Carsley called it a must-win and reveals the loss was a learning curve.
He said: “I learned a lot of things. First and foremost the tempo that we have to play at. The chances that we have to take. The real basics but it’s a good reminder.
“We tried something different that night so you’ll probably see something a little bit more conventional tomorrow in the way that we play. But I still expect us to play in a good, attacking style and hopefully we can get a good result.”
In the ITV interview, Kane stated that playing for England should take priority over playing club football.
Winger Anthony Gordon, however, opted for a more diplomatic view.
Gordon said: “I’d say whichever is my current team. The one I’m playing for right now is what is most important to me right now because that’s what is in front of me and that’s the challenge ahead.
“For England, it’s a different feeling because you’re selected to be in a group where it is the best from every team, which is obviously a great feeling. But I’d say the team I’m with now [is most important].”
