Watkins, Foden, Palmer ruled out of Carsley’s first England Squad

Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden have pulled out of the England squad for their forthcoming Nations League matches. 

Although interim England manager Lee Carsley called up Manchester City forward Foden, who was recently named PFA Player of the Year, Foden was unable to report to the squad due to illness. 

Both Aston Villa’s Watkins and Chelsea’s Palmer reported for duty at St George’s Park, but according to the Football Association, they have returned to their respective clubs “to continue their rehabilitation from ongoing issues.” 

The Football Association released a statement stating that Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins, and Cole Palmer would not be participating in England’s upcoming Uefa Nations League matches. The Three Lions team arrived at St. George’s Park on Tuesday, but Palmer and Watkins had, due to the ongoing return, their clubs continue their rehabilitation for ongoing issues. Due to illness, Foden was unable to report; therefore, he will not be playing against Finland or the Republic of Ireland. There are currently no plans for any additional additions. 

Shortly after, Gareth Southgate resigned, and on August 9th, under-21s manager Carsley was named interim manager. After the team’s 2-1 loss to Spain in Berlin, the long-serving manager announced the end of his eight-year tenure. Carsley has resumed as the manager of the England team while the FA looked for a permanent replacement. This autumn, the 50-year-old, who played for the Republic of Ireland, is scheduled to take charge of all six Nations League games. 

Southgate’s contract was set to expire in December, and while sources told ESPN that the FA had wanted him to stay on until the 2026 World Cup, he already made the decision to leave. 

Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Noni Madueke were all named to the Nations League squad that will play in the coming days. 

During his tenure as England Under-21 manager, Carsley was the manager of Lille’s Gomes, Newcastle’s Livramento, Nottingham Forest’s Gibbs-White, and Chelsea’s Madueke, among other players. Both Harry Maguire, the defender for Manchester United, and Jack Grealish, the playmaker for Manchester City, who was left off of England’s initial Euro 2024 roster, were called up. 

On September 7, England takes on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Three days later, they host Finland at Wembley. These will be their first games since they were defeated by Spain in the 14 July Euro 2024 final.