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      Belgium vs Italy: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend with BetMGM

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      THE Nations League returns and throws up a corker in League A this Thursday when Italy travel to Belgium.Bookmakers BetMGM are offering brand new customers a cool £40 in free bets when you register an account and stake a tenner on the tasty international clash.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereHow to claim..BetMGM £40 welcome bonusVisit the BetMGM website HERE*Select SPORTS OFFER on the websiteRegister a new account – No Promo Code necessaryOpt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 on football at odds of Evens or greaterOnce that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free betsBelgium vs Italy: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*Not got a BetMGM account? No problem!This offer is just for you, and it’s incredibly easy to claim!Simply register a new account, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 on football at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater. This must be done within seven days of opening your account with the bookmaker.Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets!Belgium vs Italy: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

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      Paris braces for France v Israel with SAS-style special forces & ‘1 cop per 3 fans’ as anti-Semitic chaos sweeps Europe

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      FRANCE are set to take on Israel in a huge Nations League clash this week with Paris bracing for dangerous anti-Semitic chaos. SAS-style special forces are being deployed across the city ahead of Thursday’s game with officials announcing there will be at least one cop per three football fans in the capital.SAS-style RAID special forces are being deployed across Paris ahead of the France vs Israel matchCredit: AFPOfficials have announced there will be at least one cop per three football fans in the capitalCredit: GettySecurity concerns ahead of the match are already mounting with Paris’ police chief labelling it as a “high-risk event”.The fears have drastically ramped up in recent days after disturbing footage showed Israeli football fans being chased through the streets of Amsterdam by an anti-Semitic mob.Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were ambushed by masked rioters in the Dutch city as they left the Johan Cruyff stadium last Thursday.This has prompted international concerns over the safety of Jewish fans particularly those watching Israeli-based teams.read more in football fearsWith the international break now underway, Israel’s national side are due to play France away in Paris before travelling to play against Belgium on Sunday.The match against Belgium has already faced intense scrutiny with it being moved to a neutral venue in Hungary due to safety fears.Despite France agreeing to host the 81st ranked international side in their capital a number of security measures have been put in place.SAS-style special forces and up to 6,000 other officers are all scheduled to be on duty for the high-risk game at the Stade de France.Most read in FootballOrganisers have told The Sun that they are struggling to sell tickets due to issues around Israel with the Middle Eastern conflict – with less than 15,000 seats reserved so far.France’s elite RAID tactical unit are believed to be the first line of defence at the game and have been deployed following the violence in Amsterdam.Inside Paris’ ‘patchwork of steel’ security op with AI surveillance, 45,000 cops & drones for most guarded Olympics everParis police chief Laurent Nuñez said security at the game was of extreme concern for the authorities. He said: “There’s a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us.”There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium.”RAID – which stands for Search, Assistance, Intervenion, Deterrence – will be in the stadium, he confirmed.The RAID was one of the first special forces units rushed to the scene when ISIS suicide bombers attacked Paris in November 2015.Terrorist thugs killed 130 people on a single night with chilling eruptions even being heard from the Stade de France on the harrowing night.Israeli security forces, including agents from the Mossad intelligence agency, will also be inside the stadium.French President Emmanuel Macron and his prime minister, Michel Barnier, will also attend the match.Many people have called for the game to be moved to a neutral venue but Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister, said it was hugely important that the game went ahead in Paris.Rioters run through the streets amid disturbing clashes in Amsterdam between Israelis and an anti-Semitic mobCredit: RexRAID officers will join 6,000 cops to help protect Paris after the police chief labelled the game as a ‘high-risk event’Credit: AFPIsrael fans have been targeted at sporting events such as in the Paris OlympicsCredit: GettyHe said: “I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up.”The RAID has been active since the Israeli team set foot on French soil, and they will be in the stadium.”The Israel team arrived in France on Wednesday but have been forced to train and stay at secret locations on the outskirts of Paris.Manager Ran Ben Shimon has told the press he and the team feel safe.France has already answered calls for tightened security around Israeli athletes after the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this year.They deployed a widely successful “ring of steel” around the Games to ensure safety after several declarations of violence from terror group ISIS and anti-Israel parties.It became the most guarded Games ever with over 60,000 cops and soldiers, drones, helicopters and a huge increase in AI surveillance all deployed.Just this week, a Jewish football team was placed under police protection after it was “attacked” by a knife-wielding pro-Palestinian mob in Berlin.Teens from Makkabi Berlin’s youth team claim they were “hunted down” by a group of Arab youngsters after a game against local rivals.One player’s dad claimed that his son was “deeply shaken” when he came back home from the game.The boy was allegedly spat at and later harassed by a mob of kids and adults who followed the squad off the pitch with sticks and knives. There’s a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for usLaurent NuñezParis police chief Away from the football, another Israeli-linked security fear comes in the form of a pro-Palestinian march.Thousands are expected to take to the streets of Paris on Wednesday – a day before the football clash – to demonstrate against a controversial pro-Israel gala.The “Israel is Forever” gala was originally set to be attended by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich but he has since pulled out.Several controversial figures linked to Israel’s far-Right are expected to show – making life difficult for cops.Police chief Nuñez spoke on the gala and said: “A gala in a closed place is not a demonstration on the public road, so it is more complicated for a prefect to ban it.”I considered that there was no risk of disturbing public order but we will be attentive to the comments made and I can potentially take legal action.”An open letter by seven civil rights groups to the French media reads: “Holding this gala in the French capital constitutes an insult to international law and contempt for the United Nations and for the orders issued by the highest international court.”A counter-demonstration has also been announced and is expected to attract up to 8,000 people.Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, antisemitic violence has surged globally.It has been fuelled by heightened geopolitical tensions and polarising public discourse around the war.This escalation is marked by an alarming rise in physical attacks, threats, and hate speech targeting Jewish communities.In Europe, reports of antisemitism have spiked, with attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and individuals intensifying.Countries like Germany and France have seen notable incidents of physical violence and vandalism.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Germany, synagogues were firebombed, and Jewish youth sports teams have reported attacks, reflecting a growing climate of fear.Public spaces associated with Jewish identity, including schools and cemeteries, have also required heightened police protection.A match between Mali and Israel at the Parc des Princes in July 24 saw brawls up in the standsCredit: The Mega AgencySoldiers patrolling the River Seine at the OlympicsCredit: APMembers of the RAID deescalating a situation in FranceCredit: AFP More

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      Ex-Greece boss Gus Poyet pinpoints exactly what went wrong for England in shock loss… and warns it could happen again

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      FORMER Greece manager Gus Poyet claims England’s shock loss at Wembley was down to interim boss Lee Carsley’s baffling line-up and all the managerial drama.The Greeks upset the Three Lions with a 2-1 win last month in the Nations League after a brace by Benfica star Vangelis Pavlidis, despite an brief equaliser by Jude Bellingham, and dedicated the win to team-mate George Baldock just 24 hours after his sudden death.Ex-Greece boss Gus Poyet warns England could lose again at Athens due to their opponents’ unityCredit: SportsfileEngland lost to Greece at Wembley amid managerial dramaCredit: AlamyPoyet believes England interim boss Lee Carsley’s baffling line-up contributed to the lossCredit: AlamyThe two teams meet again on Thursday in the return fixture at Athens’ Olympic Stadium – also known as OAKA – in the first match after Thomas Tuchel was named England’s new full-time manager.Poyet, 56, suggests it’s a good thing the national team finally know who Gareth Southgate’s successor is as he believes the uncertainty took a toll on the player’s mentality.The Chelsea and Tottenham legend also expects Carsley, who will oversee the matches against Greece and Finland before Tuchel takes over in the new year, to name a much more balanced line-up at OAKA.The ex-Brighton boss suggested Carsley simply tried to accommodate all of his best players, which is almost impossible for any manager to do at international level.Read More on FootballThe 50-year-old coach tried out a controversial, ultra-attacking formation that saw Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon having to start in deeper roles, while Bellingham was placed up front instead of in-form strikers Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke.Poyet told SunSport on behalf of Freebets.com: “The mental side is very, very important. I think there were too many things going around publicly about England and the coaches and which one [will be in charge] and how it’s going to be. “Everybody saw after that game the FA decided to name Tuchel, which means it [the info] was inside the camp, that feeling. And nobody knew the future of the national team. “And it’s true that on the pitch, normally, it doesn’t affect the players when you are playing because you are not thinking about anything else. But the previous days, the previous hours and the after hours, it does. Greece put up a magnificent plan from the coach and the players. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”They understood exactly what they needed to do, and then in key moments of the game they took advantage. And that’s always important. You know, there are little things that need to go for you in certain moments, and they totally served well.”I think that for whatever reason, the coach in place tried something that most people in football were saying, that it was not possible to play everybody. Going back to my time, when they used to say Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and [Paul] Scholes, they can play together. England’s international break is a mess before a ball’s been kicked “Whatever it was here was the same. Everybody wanted to see everyone in somehow. Apparently that was the correct game to do it, and at the end it was clear that it was not. “So maybe, you know, sometimes we make decisions as coaches. We believe that playing all your best players, it makes a team. And sometimes it doesn’t, almost all of the time.”That was one of the biggest mistakes I made in one of my clubs, to try to accommodate all the very good players somehow into the pitch and put in there like a puzzle and it doesn’t work like that. “You know, a team needs to have some shape, some characteristics, some people who are going to be good at the ball, and some that are going to be good without the ball. And I think that somehow didn’t work for England.”Poyet believes the loss at Wembley absolutely proves England can lose again in Athens, which would see them missing out on first place in Group 2 and being dealt a severe blow to their 2026 World Cup plans.The former Sunderland boss knows Greece very well as he managed them for two years and transformed them as he promoted them to League B, only just missing out on Euro 2024 qualification in the play-off final at Georgia, which led to his exit.’England know they can lose’And he is adamant his successor at the helm Ivan Jovanovic has put together a smooth transition that sees his team being much more clinical on the pitch.Poyet added: “Now they know that they can lose and that’s enough. It’s gonna be a totally different game. I think the first game is always a surprise. This one is going to be different”For Greece, it’s going to be amazing. I think the progress that we made in two years and the intelligence of Jovanovic now taking that forward with his own style, but without changing too many players, is being proven absolutely right. “Go back two years and a half when I arrived, and there was seven or eight thousand people at OAKA . Now it’s going to be full. “It means that group of players are going places, and that shows that it was something right, and that the people got excited. So it’s going to be a great opportunity to see if it’s possible to repeat that magical moment at Wembley.”Poyet warned England, who saw Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Palmer, Levi Colwill and Aaron Ramsdale pulling out, the main ingredient that could cause another upset is the Greek players’ unity.Greece unity can cause another upsetThe likes of Cardiff’s Manolis Siopis, Newcastle’s Odysseas Vlachodimos, Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas, West Ham’s Dinos Mavropanos, captain Tasos Bakasetas and Premier League target Fotis Ioannidis have been playing together for years.And the game will be taking place in front of a sold out OAKA, filled with passionate Greeks that have fallen back in love with their national team following 10 years of hurt.Poyet said: “The unity of the group, for sure, 100 per cent, [can lead to an upset] because it’s there and continues to be there.”I think when you play against a team like England, which is one of the top teams in the world, you need to be practically perfect, no mistakes. “And you need to be on the day to bring down the difference between the two teams. So you need to be clinical. Greece was clinical at Wembley, READ MORE SUN STORIES”You need to make sure that everybody is in a high level. You just say, what a big decision for the coach you know, to play Pavlidis or to play Ioannidis [up front] – probably both will play part of the game. “So there is plenty of things that they need to be decided yet, and it will depend on what the two managers pick and decide how to play this game.” More

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      Arsenal boost as Martin Odegaard sent home from international duty barely 24 hours after arriving

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      ARSENAL midfielder Martin Odegaard has been sent home from international duty – despite returning from injury last week.The 25-year-old made his first start in three months against Chelsea on Sunday after recovering from a damaged ankle.Martin Odegaard has been sent home from international dutyCredit: ReutersHe will continue his rehabilitation with Arsenal in LondonCredit: GettyHe then joined up with the Norwegian national team ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.But after being assessed by Norway’s medical staff, he returned to London.Odegaard said: “After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately concluded that the situation is not good enough to play these matches.”I’ve been through a long training period and when you haven’t practised football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100 per cent yet.Read More in Football”I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape.”The hope has always been to be able to play the national matches, and if I hadn’t played on Sunday, it would have been out of the question to participate anyway.”It’s a very bad feeling to lose these games, I love playing for Norway and with this team.”Norway manager Stale Solbakken went on to say that he was not willing to risk the midfielder’s health.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe explained: “We knew that there was a risk that Martin would not be ready.”He has had a strong desire to take part in the matches, but we cannot risk his health.”Ecstatic Arsenal fans say ‘my captain is BACK’ as Martin Odegaard shares workout video in huge boost following injuryOdegaard will now continue his rehabilitation with Arsenal in London.Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad on Monday due to injury.Saka was forced off with a knock during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.Meanwhile, Rice suffered a broken toe prior to the Premier League clash, but was fit enough to play 71 minutes.Arsenal ratings v ChelseaHere’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners:David Raya – 7Tipped a shot over the bar early on from Cole Palmer and claimed crosses well. Could do nothing about Neto’s crisp strike.Ben White – 5Poor when trying to stop a Neto cross that Malo Gusto should have then scored. Booked for a foul on the winger later on.William Saliba – 6Steady alongside Gabriel but was more in the covering role so had less to do. Struggled with his line-breaking passes today on the whole. Failed to engage Neto as he raced towards the area before narrowing a shot into the corner.Gabriel Magalhaes – 6Made some vital blocks when the midfield was bypassed and was generally the busier of himself and Saliba.Jurrien Timber – 6Busy day for the defender in trying to keep Madueke quiet, a task he largely succeeded in. But he wasn’t able to heavily influence the game going forward since the ball never really got to him. Most entertaining part of the game before the goal probably came with the 57th-minute throw-in that slipped out of his hands and over his head.Thomas Partey – 6Struggled to contain Cole Palmer early on but grew into the game and got on the ball plenty, although he was somewhat wayward with his long-range passing. After a bad touch he managed to poke the ball back to Odegaard before he provided the assist.Declan Rice – 6Made some vital defensive contributions to block some Chelsea chances and displayed quick thinking at a free-kick to put Havertz through to score, but was marginally offside. Subbed off after 71 minutes.Martin Odegaard – 7Back in the starting XI for the first time since August. Has been a big miss for Arteta’s side but may take some time to get back to his best and was on the ball nowhere near enough at the Bridge. Won the ball back before providing the assist for Martinelli’s opener.Bukayo Saka – 5Showed superb defensive work rate to keep Marc Cucurella in check, though this inversely meant he was unable to contribute as much in attack. Subbed off after pulling up injured in the 79th minute.Gabriel Martinelli – 8Should have done better when given the chance to score past Sanchez in the penalty area after Saka won the ball back high. Kept at it and scored against the run of play in the second half with a nice finish to Sanchez’s near post. Hooked after 71 minutes.Kai Havertz – 6Appeared to have poked home the opening goal with a sharp bit of movement but was fractionally offside. Booked for not going off the pitch when bleeding on his head. More

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      England’s international break is a mess before a ball’s been kicked – this wouldn’t have happened under Gareth Southgate

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      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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      Interviewing outgoing England boss Lee Carsley’s a waste of time now, there’s only three questions anyone wants to ask

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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

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      Eight England players pull out of Nations League squad in huge blow to Tuchel’s scouting report and Carsley’s swansong

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      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

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      Lee Carsley facing England crisis with more stars tipped to pull out than ever before after huge Premier League weekend

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      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