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Carsley signs off in style as Thomas Tuchel faces big calls - Five talking points from England's Nations League finale

Ash Rose
Carsley signs off in style as Thomas Tuchel faces big calls - Five talking points from England's Nations League finale(C)Getty Images

England signed off their Nations League campaign with a comfortable 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland to confirm their promotion back to League A. 

The game signalled the end of Lee Carsley's interim spell in charge of the national team before he hands over the baton to Thomas Tuchel in January, and both the victory and Carsley's six games in charge have proposed some interesting questions for the incoming manager. 

Here are five England talking points coming out of the final international break of 2024. 

Carsley's gamble football

Firstly, all credit must go to Lee Carsley for a brave and ultimately successful six games in charge. His remit on giving the reins temporarily was to get England promoted from Nations League B, a goal he achieved thanks to Sunday evening's victory over Ireland. However, in such a short space of time, the U21 boss also opened several other avenues for the new Three Lions manager. 

With his experience of the U21s, he was able to blood a wrath of new names into the national squad, including some that were almost entirely off the full England radar before Carsley came in - like Angel Gomes and Lewis Hall. 

But perhaps, most crucially, especially in a post-Gareth Southgate world, Carsley made a number of big gambles and calls for the good of the national team. Yes, the experimental line-up against Greece at Wembley was a massive failure, but he must be credited for trying something different. And, his decision to leave out Harry Kane, as well as put trust in new names, will only benefit Thomas Tuchel and his plans for the side when he takes over. 

Carsley will go back to the U21s with his head held high, and don't be surprised to see him back in the big job one day. 

Lee Carsley England_March2024
The new brood Matt McNulty - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

During his six games in charge, Carsley gave debuts to eight new players, and his decision to promote many of the names he nurtured in the Under-21s will give the new England boss a welcome headache when he picks his first squad. 

Over these two games alone - where new faces were called upon after a wrath of withdrawals from the senior names - performances from Noni Madueke, Lewis Hall and Curtis Jones would have propelled them up the pecking order. Most notably, Jones, who was man of the match against Greece and adds an option to go in alongside Declan Rice in the future. 

The talent pool was already vast for Tuchel to choose from, but after Carsley's spell, it seems larger than ever, with a group of players who are yet to hit their peaks. For an incoming manager, he couldn't wish to be in a better position and have a better array of players to choose from. 

Life after Harry Kane 

Let's preface this by saying that it's still quite a ridiculous notion to think that England shouldn't start with Harry Kane as the centre-piece of their attack. Not only is he the team captain, the country's record goal-scorer, but he is still one of the best strikers and players on the planet. 

Kane is still the first name down on the England team sheet and will relish working with Tuchel again, however, we now have a small glimmer of hope of life after the forward and an alternate if there is ever a need for plan B/C/D. 

The win over Greece, using Ollie Watkins and his different attributes in Kane's place, showed there can be a way to play if England are ever without their greatest-ever goal-getter. 

Harry Kane England_25062024Image Photo Agency/Getty Images

Who's number 10?

Perhaps the biggest conundrum for Tuchel will be finding a way - or the best use - of all England's attacking options. Especially after this latest international break has thrown another couple of names into the mix.

If they are fit and in form, Tuchel will have Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen and more to decide on, and most importantly, who plays in the number 10 spot. 

It's a nice headache to have, but it's one that needs solving so England have the right balance (and not always best players) to the team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. 

Build round Bellingham 

There are further issues to solve for Tuchel, like a decision on who partners John Stones, while Lewis Hall showed why having a left-back at left-back gives a team so much more balance. 

Yet, against Ireland, we got another reminder of just how good England have it with Jude Bellingham. Two assists, and a man of the match trophy, and this wasn't even the Real Madrid man at his swashbuckling best. 

What is key is that he's a man who always wants the ball and is always trying to make something happen. Whatever big calls Tuchel makes as the new England boss, the easiest is building around this generational talent. 

England Jude Bellingham EM 2024Getty Images

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