England team: Lee Carsley has selected Curtis Jones, Lewis Hall, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis for the Nations League matches.

**Carsley Stands Firm: Tuchel’s Influence on Squad Selection Dismissed**

In a significant announcement ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, interim England manager Lee Carsley has named his squad, which includes fresh faces such as Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis. These selections come as Carsley prepares for his final games in charge before the arrival of new England boss Thomas Tuchel.

The squad will face Greece in Athens on November 14, followed by a home fixture against Ireland at Wembley on November 17. Notably, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been called up to replace Nick Pope, while John Stones and Kobbie Mainoo have dropped out of the squad. Lille’s Angel Gomes and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have retained their places.

In his press conference, Carsley acknowledged the challenges of squad selection, stating, “I found a real big challenge of this job is to pick the squad. There are four or five players that can be disappointed they didn’t make this squad because they are having good seasons.” He also highlighted the ongoing injury concerns within the squad, expressing hope for a full-strength team.

Discussing the inclusions of Hall and Harwood-Bellis, Carsley praised their performances this season. “Both players have played a lot of minutes and shown they can compete at a high level. I know them both really well,” he said. “Taylor is a player who really deserves it; he’s a brilliant captain. Lewis has taken his time to settle in but has shown he can be consistent. He’s got a great left foot.”

Curtis Jones, who has been in fine form for Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot, also received high praise from Carsley. “Curtis is an all-round player who can operate in various positions. He is a player I highly rate; he’s one of the best I’ve worked with in terms of ability,” Carsley remarked. “He is showing consistency at a high level now. He can score goals, assist, and is a player we’ve had a lot of success with in the past.”

As the international break concludes, attention will inevitably shift to Thomas Tuchel’s impending arrival. Carsley expressed confidence in the German’s appointment, stating, “I think it’s a really good appointment. We talked about getting a coach with a proven track record, and Thomas has that. I’m looking forward to watching him work and handing over a strong group of players with potential to win a major tournament.”

Importantly, Carsley clarified that Tuchel had no influence on the current squad selection. “He hasn’t had any influence on the squad selection. I congratulated him via text. He is highly respectful of the job I am doing,” he said.

Looking ahead, Carsley reaffirmed his commitment to the England Under-21s, stating, “My role will be back with the Under-21s, a role I’m really privileged to do. With that, there is total support from the senior team. I’m in a better position now to do that.”

Reflecting on his time in charge, Carsley noted, “I tried to make it quite clear from the offset that I would do the three camps and win promotion in the Nations League. I’ll take that confidence into the future. I don’t see this as a legacy; I’m just trying to do the best job I can.”

He acknowledged the challenges faced, particularly after a disappointing loss to Greece, but remained optimistic about the team’s direction. “We’re moving in the right direction, and we’ll be judged on results—hopefully, we can finish on a high.”

The full squad for the upcoming matches is as follows:

**Goalkeepers:** Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton)

**Defenders:** Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton)

**Midfielders:** Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

**Forwards:** Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)

As the squad gears up for these crucial fixtures, all eyes will be on Carsley and the players as they aim to deliver strong performances before the transition to Tuchel’s leadership.