Lee Carsley was forced to call-up five replacements after a series of high-profile stars pulled out of England’s latest squad for this week’s clashes with Greece and the Republic of Ireland
Jack Grealish was among EIGHT withdrawals as England’s Nations League campaign was turned into a farce.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made it clear he was furious that Grealish had been called up for the back to back fixtures with Greece and Republic of Ireland. Grealish had been carrying a groin injury and did not make the squad for City’s defeat at Brighton on Saturday as Guardiola appears to have won his club versus country battle.
But that was also followed by a raft of other pull-outs which is as many as anyone can remember for an England get-together. Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Chelsea duo Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer, City’s Phil Foden, Southampton keeper Aaron Ramsdale and Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all out with injuries.
That is a huge blow to England’s hopes of winning in Greece which they need to realistically top their Nations League group to gain promotion. That could have serious knock-on effects for next year’s fixture list and plans if they are involved in a play-off next March.
It is also a setback for England interim boss Lee Carsley who has been left with his squad and plans in utter chaos. The players already know that Carsley will not be manager beyond these games and that new boss Thomas Tuchel does not take over until January 1.
Club managers have also put major pressure – both publicly and privately – on players to withdraw because of the sheer volume of games and fixture nightmare. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he wanted Saka and Rice to withdraw as the latter also has a broken toe. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said Palmer was “in pain” after the Arsenal game.
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However, the pullouts are a huge embarrassment and will once again raise major question marks about players facing too many games, including the new-look Champions League format. It will put the Football Association on collision course with clubs, managers and the Premier League because eight withdrawals looks ridiculous.
The new call-ups as replacements are Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers with a first senior chance while Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite have been added along with the uncapped Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been put into a 23-man squad. The squad met up at St George’s Park on Monday, will train fully on Tuesday and fly to Athens on Wednesday for the game 24 hours later before entertaining Ireland at Wembley next Sunday.
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