Anthony Gordon, the Newcastle winger, expressed there was “no chance” he would miss the England squad due to injury, setting himself apart as one of the few fully committed to the upcoming games. This unwavering commitment from Gordon comes as a relief to England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, who has faced multiple withdrawals ahead of the Nations League match against Greece in Athens, followed by the game with the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
In a week marked by a high number of dropouts, England has faced an unusual situation where eight players withdrew as of Monday, prompting Carsley to call in reinforcements. Among those drafted in, Jarrad Branthwaite from the under-21 squad was later deemed unfit and replaced by Jarell Quansah, who remains uncapped. The list of key players absent includes Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Jack Grealish, alongside long-term injured players such as John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, and Luke Shaw. As of now, only 23 players are available for Carsley, and over half of them have limited international experience, with seven yet to earn their first cap.
Gordon’s determination to play reflects a can-do attitude that’s much needed for the squad’s morale. Although he sustained a hip issue in Newcastle’s win against Nottingham Forest, Gordon reported to camp as planned, thanks to both his commitment and the support from his club manager, Eddie Howe. Howe, a vocal supporter of England, encouraged Gordon’s participation despite the injury, an attitude uncommon in Premier League managers, who often prioritize club over country.
Carsley’s week has been a challenging one. Since announcing his initial 26-man squad, he’s had to cope with major disruptions, notably including criticism from Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who openly questioned the inclusion of Grealish, given the player’s long-standing groin issue. These selection challenges were compounded by the looming presence of Thomas Tuchel, England’s future manager, who will assume the role on January 1. The timing of Tuchel’s appointment has raised questions about whether his early presence might have bolstered the squad’s stability and prevented some of the recent withdrawals.
The pressure on Carsley is substantial. England’s promotion from the Nations League’s B section is a clear objective set by the Football Association, a mandate Carsley fully embraces. A decisive win against Greece is crucial. A one-goal victory would require England to outdo Greece’s result against Finland in the final group stage, whereas a two-goal victory would allow England to stay in control of their promotion.
England’s previous encounter with Greece, a 2-1 loss at Wembley in October, adds another layer of intensity to the upcoming match. Carsley, reflecting on the loss, acknowledged the need to correct past mistakes, specifically his overly offensive approach in that game. Redemption is on his mind, and he sees these matches as a chance for the players, particularly those with limited international experience, to seize the moment. Curtis Jones may debut in midfield, and Noni Madueke could feature on the right wing, while Gordon is set to play on the left.
In a notable aside, Gordon shared a memory of Thomas Tuchel from when the German coach attempted to sign him from Everton in 2022. Gordon described Tuchel as warm and complimentary, leaving a positive impression that heightened his desire to work with him. Although Gordon will soon have the chance to play under Tuchel’s guidance, he emphasized that the current focus is on the present. For Gordon and the rest of the team, this match is not about impressing the incoming manager it’s about showing up and proving themselves when it matters most.
