England captain Harry Kane was left on the bench for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Greece, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins earning a spot in the starting lineup. Interim manager Lee Carsley framed the decision as part of his vision to foster new leadership within the squad.
“It was important to give Ollie Watkins an opportunity,” Carsley explained to ITV Sport. “To experience a night like this will be great for himself. This team needs to try and create leaders, and one way to do that is by giving them opportunities.”
While Kane reportedly wanted to play, Carsley praised his attitude, emphasizing the importance of creating competition within the team. “He is fine. His attitude has been fantastic,” Carsley added. “I am sure Ollie will do really well tonight.”
In Kane’s absence, Kyle Walker was handed the captain’s armband, and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones received his first England cap, highlighting Carsley’s willingness to trust emerging talent.
Kane’s benching follows his strong public remarks earlier this week regarding the nine players who withdrew from the squad due to injuries. The England captain voiced concerns over the lack of commitment, saying, “England comes before anything—England comes before club.” His statement underscored a desire to reignite pride and dedication among his teammates.
Carsley’s decision to reshuffle the lineup comes at a critical juncture for England, who are vying for promotion to League A. The match against Greece offers an opportunity for lesser-used players like Watkins and Jones to prove their mettle while demonstrating the depth of the squad under pressure.
