What does Lee Carsley’s England seem like? 5 issues we discovered from Republic of Eire win on debut | Soccer Information

Slick first-half show bodes properly

England’s fashion of play was a bone of rivalry all through Gareth Southgate’s tenure however Lee Carsley is seen as a coach able to bringing a extra expansive, attack-minded strategy. There have been actually indicators of it through the first half on the Aviva Stadium.

England had been wonderful in these opening 45 minutes, chopping by the hosts repeatedly with Trent Alexander-Arnold allowed to dictate proceedings from his pure place, at right-back, and Anthony Gordon providing a relentless risk in behind.

The targets had been superbly labored, notably the second, which concerned Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice combining to arrange Jack Grealish with a collection of slick one-touch passes. England, so stodgy at Euro 2024, moved the ball rapidly and incisively.

Whereas the primary half showcased welcome attacking intent, the second was a reminder that outdated habits die onerous. “Ireland were there for the taking,” stated Roy Keane. However England had been unable to press dwelling their benefit because the hosts got here again into the sport.

The second-half dip drew parallels with the facet beneath Southgate. Total, although this was an encouraging begin. England’s first-half show is one thing for Carsley to construct on.
Nick Wright

Grealish shines with freedom to play

Carsley gave Grealish the proper tonic from what he known as the “worst summer of my life” following his Euro 2024 snub, giving the artistic participant licence to roam in a free function behind Harry Kane within the England assault.

It isn’t a degree of freedom the Man Metropolis participant has usually been afforded for membership or nation, however he has stated he prefers enjoying centrally on the odd event over time – and he flourished.

Grealish popped up on each flanks as Carsley’s want to create overloads swamped the Eire defence earlier than half-time, when you may virtually see Pep Guardiola directing his late run into the field to obtain Rice’s cut-back for England’s second.

The 28-year-old’s absence from Gareth Southgate’s ultimate match squad was one of many main shocks of his announcement in June, a lot so senior members of the squad broke ranks to query the supervisor to his face.

What a distinction two months makes. The return of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer will put Grealish’s place beneath instant risk ought to they return for the October internationals, however for now Carsley’s first experiment has paid off impressively.
Ron Walker

Trent returns to right-back – and impresses

Amazingly, this was the primary time since 2021 that Alexander-Arnold has began an England sport at right-back. He seems to be destined to remain there beneath Carsley.

He was not examined notably sternly in a defensive sense, admittedly. However the Liverpool man actually appeared to relish the chance to imagine his pure place.

He was nonetheless instructed to tuck into midfield in sure phases of play, discovering Gordon with a chic ball excessive from the center of his personal half within the lead-up to the opening objective. However at different instances he offered the width, establishing a superb headed likelihood for Harry Kane with one pinpoint cross from the best early on.

Crucially, regardless of enjoying at right-back reasonably than in midfield, the place he seems to be uncomfortable anyway, Alexander-Arnold was nonetheless capable of end the sport having had extra touches (108) than another England participant, with Carsley having maximised his affect from his finest place.
Nick Wright

Gordon has Carsley’s belief

Anthony Gordon felt he was able to take Euro 2024 by storm over the summer time – however Gareth Southgate disagreed. The England winger was restricted to simply six minutes, regardless of being one of many kind gamers coming into the match.

Carsley’s arrival as interim, nonetheless, presents a recent begin for the winger. It is a coach he is aware of properly from the Below 21s and one who totally trusts him. That was clear in Dublin, with Gordon named as a starter on the left wing for England.

Gordon delivered from the off, offering a risk in behind the Irish defence and being a relentless nuisance out of possession. He had a game-high eight touches within the opposition field, with a objective the one factor lacking from his efficiency.

Gordon, star of Carsley’s U21 Euro-winning facet, can count on loads extra possibilities to interrupt his duck if the FA decides to advertise from inside as soon as once more.
Zinny Boswell

Carsley will get Pickford again to passing fundamentals

Jordan Pickford was a significant a part of England’s ball retention and high quality in constructing from the again in Dublin, in addition to making a wise second-half save to disclaim Sammie Szmodics.

The Three Lions No 1 was criticised for his wasteful lengthy balls throughout Euro 2024, bypassing England’s technical gamers and aiming hopeful and infrequently wayward passes as much as Harry Kane.

Towards Eire, Pickford saved most of his distribution brief, solely going lengthy with 17 per cent of his passes as England saved greater than 77 per cent of possession. He despatched at the least half of his passes lengthy in 4 of their seven video games at Euro 2024.

Pickford’s extra thought of use of the ball stopped England giving it up so simply as they did through the summer time match; solely certainly one of his 27 passes didn’t discover a team-mate on the Aviva Stadium, permitting the Three Lions to maintain the stress on their host and spend much less time defending.

Throughout seven video games on the Euros, he gave the ball away 78 instances.

For now, the 30-year-old’s No 1 spot seems to be unlikely to be challenged, not solely due to his expertise with England however his capacity with the ball at his toes, one thing Carsley is already cherishing.

However it’s already refreshing to see his technical high quality being utilised once more beneath the brand new regime, because it was as soon as by Southgate earlier than such a weird act of self-harm to their build-up play in Germany.
Ron Walker