Michael Owen has claimed England don’t look much different under Lee Carsley than they did under Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions prepare to return to action this week.
Carsley is currently in charge of the team on an interim basis, with the FA yet to decide on a permanent successor to Southgate following his decision to leave after Euro 2024 earlier this summer.
England won their first two matches of the new era, with the Republic of Ireland and Finland easily dispatched last month.
They will now face Greece on Thursday night before locking horns with Finland three days later.
England news: Lee Carsley is currently preparing his side for Nations League matches with Greece and Finland
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Carsley has impressed during his brief time in charge, with England playing more attacking football than before.
Yet Owen, who made 89 appearances for his country during his playing days, hasn’t been blown away.
The former Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle star feels England don’t look much different than when Southgate ruled the roost.
And he says not too much can be gleamed from the Three Lions beating sides they’re normally expected to overcome.
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“I mean, without being big-headed, England is a nation that should be winning all these games,” he told AceOdds.
“We played Ireland and won 2 -0 and we played Finland and won 2 -0.
“I mean, if that was a Premier League team and a manager was managing Southampton and came in and beat Liverpool 2-0 and then Man United 2-0, you’d think, ‘oh wow, give them the job, they’re doing great’ but it’s so hard to gauge, isn’t it?
“You’re going to be gauging England in the major tournaments against the top nations because really apart from that international football, we are playing against a lot of countries that we should be beating, that are inferior in terms of quality.
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“I know the FA likes bringing people through the ranks. They did it with Gareth Southgate.
“The Spain manager who just won the European Championships has come through the ranks in the Spanish Federation. They might be looking over the fence and thinking, well, look at that one. That gives Lee Carsley a chance.
“Put it this way, in the two games I’ve seen so far, I’ve not thought, ‘wow that’s a big difference from Gareth Southgate.’
“I’ve not seen anything to think this guy is on to something.
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England news: Michael Owen believes Lee Carsley isn’t much of an upgrade on Gareth Southgate
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“We found the missing ingredient and now we’re a team that is going to win the World Cup.
“I’ve not seen that yet but I suppose I’ll give him a chance.”
Carsley isn’t the only name in the frame to potentially replace Southgate on a permanent basis.
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe has been linked, though talk of him potentially leaving St James’ Park has gone cold for the time being.
England news: Lee Carsley was appointed as Gareth Southgate’s replacement on an interim basis back in the summer
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The FA would, in a dream world, appoint Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard’s contract at Manchester City is due to expire next year and there’s a sense his time at the Etihad Stadium is drawing to a close.
However, one man who won’t be taking charge of England is Jurgen Klopp – with the former Liverpool boss reportedly set to take on a new role at Red Bull.