Lee Carsley’s England reign was brief but four up-and-coming stars will be forever grateful
Lee Carsley will take charge of his final match as England interim manager on Sunday.
The under-21s boss has been in temporary charge since Gareth Southgate’s exit in the summer.
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He has overseen the Nations League campaign, winning four out of five matches ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with the Republic of Ireland.
Thomas Tuchel will take over from Carsley on January 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, the former Everton midfielder is set to return to his role with the Young Lions having already given Tuchel plenty of food for thought.
After getting revenge over Greece on Thursday, Carsley’s England will win their Nations League group and secure promotion with victory on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
In his five matches at the helm so far, he has taken the opportunity to introduce some fresh young talent to the senior set-up.
Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White are amongst the six players to be handed debuts during Carsley’s tenure.
He has also called-up several stars for the first time, notably members of his under-21 Euros winning side from 2023.
The likes of Levi Colwill, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer have also played key roles having graduated from that side into the senior squad under Southgate.
However, there are already four stand out names who could be set for long-term England futures thanks to the faith shown in them by Carsley.
The quartet now look ready to keep their places under Tuchel after breaking into the side in recent months.
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Here is a closer look at the young England stars to keep an eye on ahead of the ex-Chelsea boss’ first matches in March.
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones may have been handed his first call-up by Southgate back in March, but it is under Carsley that he made his case for an England future.
Having waited until Thursday’s win in Greece for his debut, the Liverpool midfielder made up for lost time by scoring in a man of the match display.
Still only 23, Jones has already made 146 first-team appearances for the Reds and showed his experience in Athens.
In the absence of Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo, he proved he has what it takes to line-up in Tuchel’s midfield in the years to come.
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Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke was another standout performer in midweek as he made his first senior start for England.
The Chelsea winger set up Ollie Watkins’ opener to add to his assist on debut against Finland in September.
Madueke has played in every match since that win two months ago, but had been limited to cameos off the bench before Thursday night.
He once again showed his value on the right-hand side, though, causing Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas countless problems.
The 22-year-old has also established himself in the side at Stamford Bridge this term to give himself a platform to keep his place in the international set-up going forward.
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Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes was a surprise call-up by Carsley in September, remaining an unknown to some England fans prior to his debut.
The midfielder swapped Manchester United for French side Lille aged 19 in search of first-team opportunities.
After being a key part of Carsley’s Euros-winning under-21 side, Gomes made his senior bow in Dublin in September.
Having impressed in a 2-0 that day, he has maintained his place in the squad for the two camps since, winning two more caps.
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Lewis Hall
Unlike Jones, Madueke and Gomes, Lewis Hall was not part of the under-21 side which beat Spain in Georgia last summer.
However, the Newcastle defender has now emerged as a potential successor to Luke Shaw at left-back for the Three Lions.
Hall was promoted to the senior squad last week after a string of injuries and withdrawals, with left-back a problem position for Carsley.
He made the most of his chance with an assured display in the second half on Thursday to stake his claim to a starting berth under Tuchel.
The 20-year-old is already first choice in his position for Newcastle, starting their last six Premier League matches.
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