For his second international squad selection since taking over from Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley had initially stuck to a familiar group of players. However, injuries to Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, and Morgan Gibbs-White forced him to make some adjustments.
Despite making only four appearances just one as a starter in seven possible Premier League matches for Liverpool this season, Curtis Jones is no stranger to Lee Carsley. A key figure in the England U21 side that won the 2023 European Championship, he scored the decisive goal in the final, deflecting a Cole Palmer free-kick into the net. Named in the tournament’s Best XI, Jones will now be hoping for his senior debut. Previously, he had been included in England’s extended squad for Euro 2024 but was ultimately left out by then-manager Gareth Southgate.
For the home fixture against Greece on October 10 and the trip to Helsinki on October 13, another young player could also make his senior debut. Eligible to represent both Portugal and Scotland through his parents, Tino Livramento has always chosen England, earning 35 youth caps across various age groups. He joined Newcastle from Southampton last summer in a high-profile transfer despite limited experience at the time, going on to feature in 26 of 38 league matches for a total of 1,306 minutes. His 2024-25 campaign has been much stronger, having played in every Premier League game so far, accumulating half of the total minutes available.
One key factor in his call-up is likely his versatility, a highly sought-after quality in modern football. Although he has likely been drafted in as a replacement for Ezri Konsa who can play both as a centre-back and a right-back Livramento is capable of playing on either flank, though he naturally prefers the right. He was already part of the squad for England’s September matches in Dublin and at Wembley against Finland but did not make his debut, unlike Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, and Noni Madueke, who all earned their first caps. Like Curtis Jones, it may now just be a matter of time before he gets his chance.
