Win or Bust: What is at Stake for England ahead of their Final Two Nations League Games

While England need a win against Greece and the Republic of Ireland to take the top spot in their Nations League group, there is plenty more at stake for the team as they look further ahead to the arrival of their new Head Coach Thomas Tuchel and the start of the World Cup qualifiers in the new year.

What is at Stake in these two games?

England will almost definitely have to win their final two Nations League Group B2 games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland to stand any chance of winning the group and moving back up into the top tier of the competition.

If England fail to win both matches they would be placed in a Promotion/relegation play-off against one of the four sides ranked third in the League A groups. Those sides are currently Serbia, Poland, Hungary or Belgium, though this could change depending on the final results in the four League A groups. The draw for these play-offs will be made on November 22nd with the fixtures taking place on March 20th and 23rd.

Who has been called up to the squad.

Although some may be questioning the level of importance these Nations League games will have on the futures of players under new coach Tuchel, there is at least something at stake for England in these two games. This will show the new coach how the players perform in a somewhat pressurised situation, as the prospect of England not winning a group containing Greece, Finland and Republic of Ireland is not something that would have been entertained prior to the start of the competition.

Lee Carsley has had to make plenty of changes to the original squad he had picked for his final two games as England’s interim Head Coach. Eight players withdrew from the games after last weekend’s Premier League matches, including big hitters like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. This has allowed the Interim boss to call up Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, enjoying a breakthrough season in the Premier League under Unai Emery for his first taste of senior international football, while Tino Livramento, Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite have also been called up.

What players are out to impress?

With so many players out, these two matches will give opportunities to some players that might want and need to impress Thomas Tuchel before he officially takes over in the New Year.

Lewis Hall has featured in all eleven Premier League games for Newcastle United this season, so will be hoping for the chance to shine at left back ahead of Tuchel’s arrival. Left back has proven to be a problem position for the England team over recent seasons, with Luke Shaw the obvious first choice when fit struggling to maintain his fitness for any prolonged period of time. Ben Chilwell had looked the most obvious second choice, but he now finds himself out in the cold at Chelsea and with the National team.

Hall can put a marker down for his claim to the position with a couple of good performances if he is picked in what has already been mentioned are somewhat important games for England, as they look to get back to League A.

Curtis Jones is another who will look to impress if given the chance to do so. Angel Gomes has looked good in England’s midfield during Carsley’s time in charge, though there is an argument that the Lille midfielder is a Carsley man and may not feature as much under the German. Jones has looked good in Arne Slot’s Liverpool midfield this season, and will look to stake his claim for a regular place in the squad moving forward.

Up front Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins will both be hoping for minutes as they both strive to position themselves as the clear No 2 centre forward behind Harry Kane in the set-up.

In Conclusion

Thomas Tuchel is not due to take over until the new year and is not expected to attend either of his new team’s matches but you can be sure the thought of the new boss will be front and centre of all the player’s minds as they take to the pitch and try to impress their new boss for future England squads.

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✒️ Liam Lacey – Football and GAA Sports Expert

Liam Lacey is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA, horse races, and football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also).

Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and international football, offering expert opinions and match previews and predictions. Occasionally, even getting some right!

Last Updated on 19/11/2024