Lee Carsley 'wanted to make his own stamp' on the new England squad

England's interim manager, Lee Carlsey, has made his first England squad selection under his reign ahead of their Nations League fixtures.

The head coach surprised many by choosing not to include several experienced players in the national team, such as Kyle Walker and Marcus Rashford.

The decision comes after Daily Mail reported that Arsenal defender Ben White's exile is expected to continue, following a disagreement with former boss Gareth Southgate two years ago.

Carsley has introduced significant changes to the squad by selecting four uncapped players: Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Noni Madueke.

Additionally, Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish has also returned to the national squad after being left out by Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.

Carlsey explained his desire to include four uncapped players and revealed the reasons why each of them can have a major impact on the team's performance.

'I will ask players to play to their strengths. I have worked with the majority of these players before,' said the manager. 'I wanted to put my own stamp on the squad.

'The new players I have called up are exciting. They were great phone calls to make.'

'Morgan is attacking, full of energy and with a great attitude. Excellent work rate. Lots of the players I have called in are used to winning.'

He suprised many by calling up the former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes, who never made an appearance for England's senior team and currently features for Ligue 1 side Lille. 

The 23-year-old player is currently injured but is set to return to his best physical conditions ahead of the Nations League fixtures.

'Angel is different to what we have seen in central midfield before. He controls the game with skill and technique rather than by being robust,' added the interim manager.

Noni Madueke is another youngster who is set to make his senior England debut, with 20 appearances and seven goals in the Under-21s team, including two in his last game against Serbia Under-21s.

'He (Madueke) has done really well for the 21s and I think he will be really important in this camp. He will bring energy.

We are coming off the back of a losing final and may need an injection of energy and enthusiasm. The new players will bring that.'

Speaking about the unfortunate players who haven't returned to the squad, Carsley highlighted Kyle Walker who has yet to feature for Manchester City this season. 

'I wanted to put a mark on the squad. Kyle hasn’t played this season. City are phasing him in gently and we have to respect that.

'I see Harry Maguire as a real good leader. There are some young defenders in the squad who are still learning.'

As previously revealed by Mail Sport, Carsley has confirmed that Ben White made it clear that he did not wish to be included in England's squad, stating: 'As far as I am aware, he wasn’t available for selection and nothing has changed in my two weeks.

'That’s where we are at with it. I have seen press reports that he is open to it but nothing has changed. 

'He has made himself unavailable for selection so not sure where we go with that,' he added

The interim boss praised his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, and also expressed confidence in his abilities, saying: 'Gareth has been very supportive. I have a great relationship with him and did have when I was with the 21s.

'I am really confident in the job I can do. We have a real capability in terms of being successful in the future.

'The objective for the next England manager is to win something. 

'I have brought in coaches I can trust. Good coaches but more importantly good people.

'Spain have done well (by promoting U21 coach) but that doesn’t mean it’s a blueprint,' added Carsley on the Luis de la Fuente's appointment as a first team coach in January 2023.

Carsley commented on being appointed as the interim manager after it was revealed that FA chiefs were highly impressed by the progress of the Under-21s. 

'I know how an international camp works. I feel supported and trusted by the board of the FA.

'I think I am a safe pair of hands.

'I spoke to Gareth after the decision. I wanted him to know what was happening before the news actually broke, said the manager before adding that he is not focusing on keeping the job permanently.

'Not thought about it too much. I have learned in the past that I spent so much energy saying that I didn’t want the job that I forgot to do the job.

'The best person will get this job. I trust the people involved to appoint the right person.'

Answering the question of whether he would take the job if it were offered tomorrow, the 50-year-old confidently said: 'Well, let’s see how the game goes first.'

Carlsey noticed that many fans slammed the national team's style of play during the European Championship under the management of Gareth Southgate.

Several supporters, former footballers and pundits were describing England as 'fatigued' and 'lifeless' despite them achieving the rank of the second-best team in the tournament.

'I could sense frustration. My role in the summer was not watching England. I was analysing another group.

'I think we played well in parts but not as good as we could have in other parts. Expectation is so high and I sensed frustration.

'But it should be high. We have world class players.'

The England manager has clarified that he sees Trent Alexander-Arnold's position in defense rather than in midfield, the role he played during Euro 2024, sparking many debates.

'Trent position? For me and for this camp he will be a right-back. Modern day full backs have all round attributes that almost make them midfielders. 

'At some point we will see TAA arriving in to that midfield area but for me I see him as a right-back.'

More to follow.