A new era will begin for England this week. Gareth Southgate departed as Three Lions manager after Euro 2024 with Lee Carsley now in charge on an interim basis for the UEFA Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The former midfielder will have the opportunity to put his stamp on the national team.

Many hope Carsley will take the handbrake off England in the way Southgate refused to. The Three Lions have become a very effective tournament team, making the final of the last two Euros as well as the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup, but supporters long for a more exciting, entertaining side.

This is a view seemingly shared by Carsley. “I want our players to be on the ball, I want our team to attack. I want us to be expansive,” said the 50-year-old in his first press conference as England interim manager. But the opposite to that is the defensive stuff is still really important. Making sure you’re in a position where you can dominate your opponent in and out of possession is a really big thing.”

Nobody could question England’s defensive resolution under Southgate. They conceded just four times on their run to the final of Euro 2024, but such a conservative approach was at odds with the attacking strength of England’s squad. Indeed, most of England’s best players at this moment in time are forwards.

Harry Kane is the best all-round centre forward in European football right now having scored 46 goals in 48 games for Bayern Munich since making the move from Tottenham Hotspur last summer. Then there’s Ollie Watkins who netted 19 times for Aston Villa in the Premier League last season.

Bukayo Saka is one of the most productive wingers in the game and is still improving for club and country while Phil Foden was the Player of the Year in the Premier League last season, finishing the campaign with 35 goal contributions in all competitions. Jude Bellingham is another elite level England international in the attack. He will be a Ballon d’Or candidate this year.

Under Southgate, England often struggled to find the right balance in central midfield. He used Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips for a long time, but this pairing offered little creativity. Then Bellingham came into the team, but was soon shifted further forward. At Euro 2024, Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo both featured in the middle. Adam Wharton is another option.

To fully unlock England’s attacking potential, this might be where Carsley focuses his efforts. There are also questions over the Three Lions’ strength in the full back areas with Luke Shaw still out injured and Kyle Walker also out of the Manchester City team. Some evolution will be required here.

Carsley sprung a few surprises with his first England squad. Former Manchester United wonderkid Angel Gomes was included having established himself as a key figure for Lille. There was also a place for Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke after his strong start to the season for Chelsea.

Of course, these are three players who know Carsley from the under-21 national team. This was a pathway Southgate established during his time as England manager and his interim successor appears intent on continuing that. Carsley recognises the need to keep the Three Lions youthful and hungry.

Two Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland should ease England back into competitive action following Euro 2024 this summer. These are games which could allow the Three Lions to impose themselves. Carsley might have some new ideas on how they can achieve that.