England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley praised his squad for showing “real talent” in 2-0 Nations League win over Ireland.
First-half goals from ex Ireland players, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish – who represented Ireland at youth level – proved enough for England to make a winning start under Carsley following Gareth Southgate’s resignation in mid-July 2024.
“I thought it was good in parts, you have seen some of the things we have tried to do,” commented Carsley on the team’s performance to claim the win and a clean sheet.
“The lads have to take all of the credit and I think we have shown we have some real talent, and we can be pleased with the clean-sheet as well.”
Carsley though iterated that the more direct style of play wasn’t really his preferred style, but praised his players for how they responded to his tactical tweaks with more intensity forward and energetic movement into space.
“I would not call it my style of way of playing, the players have to take a lot of credit.
“The way they have taken some of the things we have spoken about, moving the ball forward quickly, running forwards and getting into pockets, I thought they did really well.”
Rice and Grealish in particular stood out for Carsley for their “well-worked moves and brilliant finishes,” but he believes that both players are capable of more goals, especially Grealish.
“I think they can both add a lot more goals to their game. He [Grealish] doesn’t have anything to prove to us, we can see his quality.
“That will have done him the world of good today, scoring a goal for England, and hopefully we can see more of him in that form.”
Anthony Gordon meanwhile stood out for his energetic runs and movement to get involved in attacks on the left flank, which left Carsley impressed due to the pitch’s conditions.
“It was a really dry and sticky pitch, which is not often good for dribblers, but I thought Anthony [Gordon] was really good. He has carried on his form from last season and he looks like a really dangerous player.”
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