Harry Kane is poised to be a surprising exclusion from Lee Carsley’s England lineup for Thursday’s critical Nations League match against Greece in Athens. Despite traveling with the squad, Kane is not dealing with any injury, a fact that has reportedly sparked shock within a dressing room already reeling from a series of player withdrawals.
During his interim leadership, Carsley has sought to experiment tactically. In a recent clash against Greece at Wembley, he deployed Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as false nines in an ultra-attacking strategy—a move that ended in a 2-1 defeat. This time, Carsley is expected to start Ollie Watkins in the No. 9 position, signaling his continued willingness to test new approaches.
Kane has consistently emphasized his unwavering commitment to England, stating in a pre-recorded ITV interview on Tuesday that club priorities should never overshadow national duty. His remarks come as Carsley faces the withdrawal of nine players from his squad—some genuinely injured, others potentially exploiting the situation. Kane expressed concern that the team culture fostered by Gareth Southgate has diminished.
“The joy of playing for England was reignited by Gareth,” Kane said during his ITV interview. “Every camp brought excitement; every player wanted to represent England. That passion must come before anything else, even club commitments. England is the pinnacle for any professional footballer. Gareth was always adamant about maintaining this standard, and he wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions when players lost focus. This week has been difficult, with many withdrawals. I feel there may have been some taking advantage of this challenging period, and I’m not comfortable with that.”
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite became the latest player to pull out, prompting his replacement by Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah. England’s depleted squad also includes absences from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, and Aaron Ramsdale.
Kane, however, offered a more optimistic view on Thomas Tuchel’s appointment. “I was genuinely surprised,” he admitted. “Having worked with Thomas last year, I developed a strong rapport with him and expected him to return to club football. His involvement played a significant role in my move to Bayern Munich. Tuchel brings unmatched energy and passion, making him a strategic choice for leading England to a major tournament victory. His tactical acumen, honed at clubs like Bayern and Chelsea, sets him apart, and it will be fascinating to see how he shapes our team.”
Kane believes the Football Association has made the right decision in appointing Tuchel. “He’s direct and treats everyone with respect, whether you’re performing well or poorly. On the pitch, he’s incredibly demanding,” Kane said.
Meanwhile, Carsley remains committed to his attacking philosophy ahead of the match against Greece. England, currently second in Nations League Group B2, needs a two-goal victory to regain their top-tier status. “Winning and performing well are our priorities,” Carsley said. “You can expect an attacking lineup—that’s my coaching style, and I want the team to reflect that mentality.”
With limited squad options, Carsley may hand debuts to Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall. He also dismissed concerns that England caps are being devalued and found himself at odds in the ongoing club-versus-country debate. Grealish, who has been sidelined since October 20, drew criticism from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for his selection, a move Guardiola claimed lacked communication from the FA’s medical team. Carsley refuted these claims.
“Our medical teams are in constant communication during squad selections,” Carsley explained. “Assessments are always conducted thoroughly. Jack was evaluated and sent back—it was a straightforward decision.”
