Lee Carsley is reportedly planning a surprise shift for England’s UEFA Nations League match against Greece on Thursday evening.

Despite being the team’s captain, Harry Kane may find himself on the bench as he continues to recover from a minor injury.

This decision comes as Carsley, in his final two games as interim head coach, looks to make bold moves to ensure England’s success in Athens, followed by a home match against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

A Risky Strategy That Didn’t Pay Off

In the previous Nations League encounter last month, Carsley took a risk by leaving Kane out of the starting lineup and choosing not to rush him back from injury.

Instead, he fielded Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in a two-man forward line, a move that didn’t yield the desired results.

Greece went on to defeat England 2-1 at Wembley, a result that Carsley later admitted didn’t go according to plan.

Reflecting on the decision, Carsley acknowledged, “It is something I will look back on in two or three months and be better for it.”

Despite the loss, he explained his decision was about trying new things and giving his best shot for the three games he had in charge.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets,” he added, emphasizing the importance of trust and support from the team, which had been evident in earlier matches.

Kane’s Potential Bench Role

Now, with Kane’s fitness still a concern, Carsley seems likely to consider a different attacking setup for the Greece match.

This could mean another surprise decision to leave the England captain on the bench.

Instead, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins may get the chance to start, which would be a rare opportunity for the 28-year-old to showcase his talents.

Kane Calls Out Teammates Over Withdrawal

Meanwhile, Kane has made headlines for his outspoken criticism of several teammates who withdrew from the England squad, blaming them for taking advantage of the challenging season schedule.

Kane, who also has a minor injury, stated that playing for England should come before club commitments.

“England comes before anything,” he said.

“It’s the most important thing you play as a professional footballer.”

His comments highlight a growing frustration with players opting out of international duty during a demanding period of the season.

Kane’s strong words emphasized his belief that national pride should outweigh club priorities, making it clear that, for him, representing England is a top priority regardless of the circumstances.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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