In a way, Lee Carsley managed to get back in the game after taking a positive step on the field.

It is becoming more and more confusing why he keeps vacillating when it comes to the most important question of all: does he want the job? That description may be a bit harsh for an interim manager leading a club through a respectable stretch of play so far.

Carsley added to the awkward situation in Helsinki on a night that should have been easy following a 3-1 victory against Finland by stating that the England position “deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies”.

That’s obviously not him yet, which is why this line was first interpreted as Carsley saying that he wouldn’t be joining the full-time position.

However, he responded “definitely” that he was not ruling himself out when questioned.

The only reason this is being discussed is because his remarks keep provoking new questions, if you find hearing about it boring. Comparable to how Trent Alexander-Arnold continuously opens up defenses, Carsley seems to be establishing new dialogue channels all the time. That conversation is frequently more engaging than Nations League B2, especially considering how crucial it is to the actual business of the 2026 World Cup.

Though it’s evident what he wants, it’s surprising that Carsley doesn’t draw a clear line and just go for it. It is unnecessary for him to make these new, uninspiring remarks.

Carsley is a coach who wants to coach, which makes it even more unexpected coming from a statesman like Gareth Southgate. Even though he isn’t sure where he wants to go with this squad, he obviously has a clear vision for it.

He is attempting to iron out the minor details that will ultimately bring that concept to completion with this Nations League campaign. That’s the major reason England didn’t look as well during this international break as they did during the previous one, however it has undoubtedly raised some additional

questions about whether he will actually land the position. That was then further undermined by his remarks in public.

Is that how much more of the work is affecting him now that he has to give a public speech? Is it because he is such a modest man that he doesn’t believe he has enough power to just declare, “I want it”? He would only state that he wishes to maintain a “open mind” in this situation.

At the very least, he has demonstrated that to the team. Even though the experimentation hasn’t gone smoothly thus far, in the end it has given him more options and a better understanding of what works. Even though Alexander-Arnold plays the nominal position of left-back, he is clearly the team’s primary creator. Of all the creators Carsley has, Jack Grealish might be the most suited to his style of football as the first goal scorer. On the other hand, Angel Gomes appears to be indispensable.

It’s a peculiar situation.

Gomes is far down England’s team list in terms of raw talent and fundamental standing. There are a plethora of stars ahead of him. However, he might be among the most crucial players strategically—possibly even one of a kind. Gomes is one of the few players who can perform the role of midfield passer that Carsley’s positional-pressing style, inspired by Pep Guardiola, can fit around.

The Lille midfielder set the squad straight right away, which was one thing that set this Thursday night’s mayhem versus Greece so very apart. Nor is it all those balls that build steadily.

Not that it’s flawless, mind you. It was evident from one pass at the other end. Gomes conceded that he was by no means the only player at fault when he handed the ball away for one of Finland’s numerous attacks. Essentially, it boils down to the calculations. Carsley would rather have a player who completes 95 out of 100 of these passes correctly than one who makes fewer attempts or, even worse, simply lacks that kind of performance.

It indicated the key components of England’s style of play. Gomes’s small passes have been a familiar sight under Carsley, and they are enhanced by Alexander-Arnold being granted permission to use his entire repertoire of passes.

The Liverpool star plays it anywhere he needs it, but Gomes plays it short. After several arched cross-field balls and a drilled slide-rule pass, there was a cross a la David Beckham.

All of that was reduced to a Beckham-style free kick, and Alexander-Arnold’s stunning hit clinched the victory. It was flawless.

All of this resulted from a surprising left-back debut, even though Carsley had hinted at a likely starting position during last week’s team announcement. If it can even be referred to be left-back, that is. From then on, Alexander-Arnold was free to wander around and play-make. It went beyond an inside full-back. It was the roving artist.

The question of whether it can function as well against a stronger opponent remains.

After all, Carsley’s matches seem to have this quality independent of the opposition or even the style of play, because to the fluidity and diversity he permits. His group creates several opportunities.

For this reason, Gomes’s back pass by itself wasn’t all that concerning. It was more that every such occasion is made to appear much worse by England’s openness. Fredrik Jensen of Finland alone lost two excellent opportunities. It could have started earlier for the hosts, who are a pretty moderate side.