UEFA Nations League

WHAT a mess England’s latest international break is before a ball has even been kicked.Less than four months after contesting the Euro 2024 final, the Three Lions are struggling to put a decent team out for the important – yes, they are, actually – Nations League games against Greece and Ireland.Lee Carsley will have to make do with a depleted squad ahead of his final games as interim England bossCredit: GettyGareth Southgate made England respected again on the pitchCredit: GettyOf course, it is ridiculous that this is the third opportunity for a club versus country row already season.Naturally, over-mighty clubs, mostly the same ones who were prepared to betray English football to set up a European Super League, are taking advantage.But poor old Lee Carsley, his staff and the hordes of fans travelling to Athens for Thursday’s game really have been hung out to dry by the Football Association.By appointing Thomas Tuchel last month but pandering to his desire not to actually start work until January, the Wembley bosses have made what would already have been a difficult situation much, much worse.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPutting the F and the A in farce since…well, for most of the last few decades.But that is the point. Under Gareth Southgate, England stopped being a laughing stock on and off the pitch.Pulling on the shirt became something players wanted to do again, a pleasure instead of the chore it had become across years of underachievement and bad feeling.Fans and media reconnected with the national team. Everyone was in it together.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat culture, years in the making, has been eroded in just a few short weeks.Being manager of England no longer feels like the biggest honour our game can bestow on a coach – the sentiments that Carsley was expressing only a matter of days ago.Lee Carsley reveals classy message to Thomas Tuchel and says new England manager has no influence on his squad If Tuchel can opt in and out and decide which games matter, then why not the players and the clubs who ultimately call the shots?Among the eight withdrawals, there will be genuine injuries which would make it unlikely or unwise for the individual to take part in either match.Yet you can bet if Tuchel was even just going to show his face at St George’s Park this week, or attend Thursday’s game in Athens or Sunday’s at Wembley, some of them would have turned up.You could argue that having Tuchel around if he wasn’t going to mastermind the actual matches, would have undermined Carsley.What, any more than making the interim boss pretend he did not know that he was not going to get the job full-time and his successor had been chosen?Skipper Harry Kane is available for the two upcoming matchesCredit: GettySouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024The point is, if Tuchel is serious about England and the FA are serious about Tuchel, he should be in charge right now.If he and the FA find themselves having to contest Nations League play-off matches in March instead of World Cup qualifiers and/or top-level friendlies, they will only have themselves to blame.And if the Tuchel/England experiment does not succeed overall – which, by the standards they have publicly laid down, means winning the 2026 World Cup – then they can expect pelters from the fans.Supporters are paying large sums of money to go to Athens to watch what will be an under-strength team. Inside FA’s thrilling chase for TuchelTHE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.The next major tournament, being staged across four time zones and three countries, will be a major undertaking.And most of the flags you will see in Mexico, Canada and the USA won’t bear the names of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City, the sides who have had players pull out of Carsley’s squad.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe majority of the fans who cross the Atlantic will be proudly representing clubs like Luton, Colchester, Stoke and Chesterfield, as well as their country.What a shame others don’t have the same commitment. 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LEE CARSLEY will conduct four rounds of media interviews in five days during the next week.Before and after England’s Nations League matches against Greece in Athens and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, we’re expected to ask the Three Lions interim manager some questions.Lee Carsley will face the press four times in five daysCredit: SplashIncoming England boss Thomas Tuchel does not start until JanuaryCredit: SplashYet, with genuine respect for an excellent coach and a decent man, there are only three questions I can think of.These are: “Where are all the players you picked last week?”“What are you still doing here?” and “Where’s the German bloke?”The November international break, coming so soon after the September and October breaks, is the least wonderful time of the year for football fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s the time when we start sounding like dear old Brenda from Bristol being vox-popped by BBC News after the calling of a snap general election in 2017.“You’re joking? Not ANOTHER one? Oh for God’s sake, honestly, I can’t stand this.”But at least in most November international breaks, the actual England manager bothers to turn up.Not so, Thomas Tuchel. And not so, a significant swathe of the England squad either — after the biggest mass withdrawal of players in history.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland will play 16 or 17 matches between now and the start of the World Cup, due to be staged either side of Donald Trump’s bloody great wall in 2026. So why would Tuchel pass up the opportunity to take charge of the first two of them?When Tuchel was appointed last month, it felt extraordinary that he wasn’t going to start work until January and, now that this godforsaken hiatus in the domestic schedule is upon us, doubly so.Thomas Tuchel ‘was NOT England’s first choice and Pep Guardiola could still get the job’Tuchel has just 18 months to win a World Cup — which is his stated aim rather than more tub-thumping over-optimism from the likes of me.Like a McDonald’s burger-flipper aiming for employee of the month, Tuchel says he will put ‘a second star on the shirt’.So why the three-month delay?The problem with Tuchel is not that he’s foreign — although that is a black mark for the FA’s National Football Centre and its coaching ‘pathway’.It’s that he’s part-time. He’ll start by taking a few months off, then a bit of WFH and then pop over to take in a few matches, rent a little place over here, a couple of matches in March, then back to Germany to see the kids. Flexible working kind of thing.Which is nice work if you can get it. Especially for £5million a year. But probably not the best way to win a World Cup.Tuchel is a very good manager but the way the FA have bent over backwards to accommodate him suggests he is a bona- fide genius, rather than the first Bayern Munich manager in 12 years to fail to win the Bundesliga.How England’s squad originally looked before the weekendAfter the dedication of Gareth Southgate, we are back in the era of Fabio Capello, with the England job a convenient part of somebody’s work-life balance.It is impossible to imagine as many as EIGHT England players pulling out through ‘injury’ had Tuchel been taking charge for the first time this week.And isn’t the Nations League supposed to be meaningful? England must beat Greece by at least two goals and defeat Ireland if they are to be sure of winning automatic promotion back to the top tier and avoiding a play-off in March, when Tuchel will turn up.And these results have an effect on world rankings and future seedings too.Tuchel isn’t expected at either of this week’s matches but is presumably expected to tune in and watch, perhaps after the school run and before he does the ironing.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, Carsley is hung out to dry again, facing the media like he did last month, in scenes akin to a really s**t police interrogation in which the suspect had to pretend not to know that Tuchel had already been appointed and that he now can’t remember when he actually did find out.So what is Carsley still doing here? And where’s the German bloke?Southgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024 More

LEE CARSLEY’S swansong as England interim boss has turned into a car crash after a staggering EIGHT players withdrew from his squad through ‘injury’.The FA’s decision to allow incoming manager Thomas Tuchel to delay his arrival backfired spectacularly with the biggest mass withdrawal of players in England’s history.Lee Carsley will take a skeleton squad to GreeceCredit: GettyDeclan Rice is out after playing with a broken toe against ChelseaCredit: GettyBukayo Saka limped off at Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel will not take charge of England until JanuaryCredit: SplashThe Arsenal duo of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, the Manchester City pair Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and back-up keeper Aaron Ramsdale are all out.England visit Greece on Thursday and host the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in two Nations League clashes, with promotion back to the competition’s top tier at stake.Yet after Tuchel opted not to take up his post until January, several players with fitness issues are taking a rest, leaving Carsley with a skeleton squad to work with and the FA with egg on their faces.John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Ebere Eze were already ruled out from the original party named by Carsley last week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn all, six of the eleven who started this summer’s Euros Final defeat by Spain are now absent – as well as Palmer, who scored England’s goal after arriving as a sub in Berlin.Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has received his first call-up, with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento and keeper James Trafford also added to the party.Rice, Saka, Palmer and Colwill all started the 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Arsenal on Sunday but all have cried off international duty – Rice and Palmer after passing late fitness tests to play for their clubs.Midfield man Rice played with a broken toe on Sunday but will not be risked for England.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSaka limped off late on at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea’s Colwill and Palmer lasted the distance.Alexander-Arnold could face a lengthy lay-off with a hamstring problem after being substituted in the first half Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett runs the rule over England’s squad after two players are given first call-upFor Foden and Palmer, it is a second injury withdrawal in three camps under Carsley’s temporary charge.Grealish has not trained for two weeks and Carsley’s decision to include him in his squad sparked a sarcastic response from City boss Pep Guardiola.City right-back Kyle Walker has remained in the squad but is also believed to be a fitness doubt.Dodgy sicknotes became a thing of the past under previous manager Gareth Southgate but you would not have to be a major cynic to suggest they have returned in droves under Carsley.Rogers, Livramento and his fellow Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall can all expect to win their first full caps this week, given the extent of the injury crisis.England must beat Greece by at least two goals and also defeat Ireland if they are to seal automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.Tuchel is not expected to attend either match and the FA claim the decision to delay the German’s arrival was made by mutual consent – although it is believed to be a money issue related to his departure, and subsequent gardening leave, from Bayern Munich. More

ENGLAND interim boss Lee Carsley could face a squad crisis during the international break, with a number of key players expected to withdraw.Carsley will take charge of England for the final time this week.Lee Carsley could be without some key players this weekCredit: GettyBukayo Saka and Declan Rice are doubts due to injuryCredit: GettyTrent Alexander-Arnold is expected to withdraw due to a hamstring strain suffered at the weekendCredit: GettyThe Three Lions conclude their Nations League campaign with a trip to Greece on Thursday followed by a home clash with Ireland on Sunday.But they may be forced to play without some important stars.Mikel Arteta cast doubt over the inclusion of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring strain against Aston Villa on Saturday and is now expected to withdraw from the England squad.Read More in FootballJack Grealish didn’t appear for Manchester City at the weekend due to a fitness issue which could prevent him from travelling to camp.Kyle Walker could also miss out due to a knee injury.England legend Alan Shearer is now convinced that several Premier League stars will withdraw in order to rest.Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he explained: “See what happens at international level now with a lot of players, not only Arsenal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I think, don’t be surprised if we see a load of pull-outs from international players from their countries.”Rather than going to play in the Nations League or wherever, you’ll actually see them having a bit of a rest.Lee Carsley reveals classy message to Thomas Tuchel and says new England manager has no influence on his squad “I’m sure they’ll come out and say they’re maybe injured or whatever but it’ll be more to have a rest I think.”I think there will be loads of them over the next couple of days.”Gary Lineker went on to suggest that more England players could withdraw from international duty because there is no incentive to impress interim boss Carsley.He added: “Possibly with England as well in particular because you’re going to a manager who’s not going to be there, so it’s not like you’ve got to go and impress or anything like that.”There have been three international breaks already this season – one each month.Last week, Carsley revealed that some replacements are on standby if needed.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter Sunday’s match against Greece, the Under-21s manager will step down from his interim position with the senior team.Thomas Tuchel will then take over on a full-time basis in January. More