Having watched Greece vs. England last night, it was hard not to conclude that Lee Carsley’s B-team performed somewhat better than the A-listers. Of course, the Greeks are not the greatest team in the world, but they were group leaders, boast an excellent home record, and beat the Three Lions at Wembley as recently as October.
Therefore, all things considered, England’s 3-0 Nations League victory may have been their most important. But it does beg the question: is Carsley—and eventually Thomas Tuchel—better off dropping a few stars?
England’s midfield was so good that former West Ham captain Declan Rice might struggle to get back into the team. Conor Gallagher was the epitome of perpetual motion, Curtis Jones impressed and scored, while Jude Bellingham looked better without Harry Kane dropping deep and getting in his way.
Carsley didn’t feel forced to shoehorn Phil Foden into the team, which allowed him to play proper wingers like Gordon, Madueke, and, of course, the Hammers’ own Jarrod Bowen.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins scored and worked tirelessly, while Lewis Hall and Rico Lewis looked far better than the senior players who would usually be chosen.
Selecting superstars rather than round pegs in round holes has been an age-old problem that stems back even further than trying to cram Scholes, Gerrard, and Lampard into the same side. But if England can build a team rather than a team of individuals, it might be the best thing Tuchel can do
