Lee Carsley to recall England's most popular player after snubbing Ivan Toney since Saudi move
Lee Carsley will announce his latest round of England call-ups on Thursday, having won his first two games as interim manager after taking over from Gareth Southgate
Cole Palmer will be central to Lee Carsley’s England plans.
Chelsea star Palmer will be back in the England squad when it is named on Thursday for the Nations League double header with Greece and Finland. In-form Palmer, who scored four in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Brighton last weekend, missed out last time because of muscle fatigue.
But Palmer was a huge part of Carsley’s England’s under-21s Euros-winning squad last year and can expect to play a major role for the seniors under the interim manager. Carsley knows that he is favourite for the job and has been given a six game audition in the Nations League fixtures to land the role on a permanent basis.
Palmer was part of England’s Euros squad in the summer under Gareth Southgate but was not a starter and was restricted to appearances from the bench, including coming on in the final and scoring against Spain. But Palmer is in such good form that he is now a red-hot favourite to start even with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham also fit to be called up having missed out through injury last time.
READ MORE: Sky Sports fans can save £216 on their bill, here's three other reasons you'll want to pick itREAD MORE: Phil Foden explains career change plans - '95 per cent of football lads don’t enjoy it'Palmer, 22, has become a huge fan favourite which has been borne out by him being by far and away the most popular player on social media despite him being a player of few words. His TikTok videos, appearances in the Lions’ Den and interviews were watched, liked and viewed more than any other player and just underlines his popularity.
Palmer also has the ability to play wide, through the middle and it is in the No10 role where he has excelled for Chelsea. There is huge competition for places but Carsley hinted last month that he will pick players based on form and will not be afraid to make changes to keep the squad “fresh.“
Kyle Walker is sweating on his place in the squad having missed out last time and that allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold to put his case and was outstanding in both games with Republic of Ireland and Finland. Carsley has not been to Saudi Arabia to watch Ivan Toney since his move to the Middle East and that may well open the door for Tottenham’s in-form Dominic Solanke.
Get involved! Should Dominic Solanke be in the England squad? Have your say in the comments section.
Solanke, 27, has scored in his last three games and would be seen as more of a No.9 option than Ollie Watkins when it comes to competition and backing up Harry Kane. England will see Greece at Wembley on October 10 as a key game in winning their Nations League Group as both teams have won their opening two matches.
Carsley knows that if he wins all six Nations League games and tops the Group then he will be red-hot favourite to get the job permanently. Carsley did attend the UEFA debrief on the Euros last month which is a post-tournament tradition among national coaches and perhaps underlines that he is getting his feet under the desk.
FIFA have told the Football Association that the draw for World Cup qualifying will be held on Friday, December 13, in Zurich and if Carsley passes his audition then he could even be installed by then.
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