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England Announce Squad for September Fixtures: A New Era Under Lee Carsley
England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, has announced the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Stepping in after Gareth Southgate’s departure following Euro 2024, Carsley has taken the opportunity to make some significant selections, balancing the inclusion of emerging talent with the return of seasoned players.
Fresh Faces and Returning Stars
The squad features a mix of experienced names and fresh faces, signaling Carsley’s intent to rejuvenate the team. Notably, four young players have received their first senior call-ups: Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento, Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
These players, who impressed under Carsley’s guidance with the England Under-21s, now have the chance to prove themselves on the senior stage.
Returning to the squad are Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, who has not featured since October 2023, and Manchester City’s versatile defender Rico Lewis. The inclusion of Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire, both left out of Southgate’s final Euro 2024 squad, highlights Carsley’s willingness to offer these players another opportunity despite limited playing time at their clubs this season.
Notable Absences: Rashford and White Miss Out
However, the squad announcement also underscores some surprising omissions. Marcus Rashford, who hasn’t been in good form for Manchester United, remains absent from the national team, extending his spell away from international duty.
Arsenal defender Ben White is another notable exclusion, as he continues to be overlooked following his last appearance in the 2022 World Cup. Injuries have also ruled out key players like Luke Shaw and Jude Bellingham, weakening the squad’s defensive and midfield options.
England’s Full Squad for September Fixtures
The upcoming matches will be crucial as England looks to bounce back after their relegation from the top tier of Nations League football in the 2022/23 campaign. The squad will need to gel quickly as they face the Republic of Ireland on 7 September in Dublin, followed by a home game against Finland at Wembley Stadium on 10 September.
Here’s a look at the full squad for the September fixtures:
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Jordan Pickford | Everton |
| Dean Henderson | Crystal Palace | |
| Nick Pope | Newcastle | |
| Defenders | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool |
| Tino Livramento | Newcastle | |
| Rico Lewis | Man City | |
| Levi Colwill | Chelsea | |
| Harry Maguire | Man Utd | |
| Marc Guehi | Crystal Palace | |
| Ezri Konsa | Aston Villa | |
| John Stones | Man City | |
| Midfielders | Conor Gallagher | Atletico Madrid |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Man Utd | |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | Nottm Forest | |
| Angel Gomes | Lille | |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal | |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | |
| Phil Foden | Man City | |
| Forwards | Noni Madueke | Chelsea |
| Jack Grealish | Man City | |
| Jarrod Bowen | West Ham | |
| Eberechi Eze | Crystal Palace | |
| Anthony Gordon | Newcastle | |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | |
| Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa |
A New Chapter Begins
As England prepares for these critical matches, the inclusion of new faces and the return of established players will be key in determining how the team fares under Carsley’s leadership. Yet, the continued absence of stars like Rashford raises questions about the squad’s overall direction as they aim to re-establish themselves in Nations League B.
