England vs Finland: Why Carsley should again use Grealish following solid Ireland showing

The faux pre-match outrage over whether or not Lee Carsley would sing the national anthem ahead of England's meeting with Ireland on Saturday wasn't enough to dampen spirits as the Three Lions geared up for their first post-Gareth Southgate match. Carsley was viewed by some as a vanilla appointment, even on an interim basis. The safer choice from what was hardly a packed field. 

And yet, those who viewed the U21s under his watchful eye would have appreciated the decision to promote Carsley to the senior squad, if only temporarily. His first squad gave an indication on future selections, with the 50-year-old's tried and tested quartet Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke all making the cut for the first time in their respective careers. 

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Then there was those brought in from the cold to be given a chance to reclaim their place in the side. Harry Maguire missed Euro 2024 due to injury yet was given the nod ahead of John Stones to partner Marc Guehi at the Aviva Stadium, though Stones' lack of game time post-Euros meant that wasn't a surprise. 

One of the main talking points, however, was the return of Jack Grealish, and the midfielder subsequently starting against the Boys in Green at the weekend. Injuries impacted Grealish's game time for Manchester City last season, the former Aston Villa man restricted to just 10 starts. The arrival of Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes last summer, combined with the addition of Savinho in July and return of Ilkay Gundogan last month, means competition is rife for a spot on the frontline for City. 

Even so, Grealish still impressed when called upon last season having finished third for key passes per 90 (2.3) and second for dribbles per 90 (1.6) for the Premier League champions. The issue is that Grealish was again underutilised, with Pep Guardiola pushing the 28-year-old out to the left flank. 

Grealish can play in this role, yet he's far better suited in the middle of the park where he has the drive to punch a hole in the opposition backline and the vision to pry apart defences. It must have been a relief for Grealish, then, when he saw the starting XI for the meeting with Ireland, and that he wasn't pushed out to the left flank, a role occupied by Anthony Gordon, another who has shone previously under Carsley. 

It wasn't a coincidence that Grealish returned a WhoScored rating of 7.79, that his third best in an England shirt for matches we have data for. Not only did Grealish find the back of the net in the win over Ireland, beating Caoimhin Kelleher with his only effort, but the City star also made two key passes and one tackle. It wasn't the sort of performance that drew admirers while at Villa, the kind of showings that convinced the champions to part ways with £100m for the attacker, yet it gave Pep Guardiola food for thought on how best to utilise the club's record signing. 

Guardiola is unlikely to continue with Grealish on the left when both Doku and Savinho are both fit. Indeed, the only match the latter pair didn't both start was the 3-1 win at West Ham prior to the international break, and that was only because Savinho was absent owing to a knee issue. The problem for Grealish, however, is that Guardiola is well stocked for personnel in the positions behind star striker Erling Haaland. Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and the returning Gundogan are all options for the Spaniard. 

Oscar Bobb is another who can play behind the forward, though is better suited from the right. Even so, Grealish again proved that he works best in the middle of the park rather than off the left wing. He's expected to start in the same role when England face Finland on Tuesday night to round off the September international break. The expectation is that Grealish puts in another solid central showing as he looks to convince Guardiola that he is best suited through the middle as the 53-year-old looks to potentially bow out from City on a high.