‘Carsball’ under Lee Carsley  has transformed England as they look to win first Euros in 39 years

Carsball’s creator still puts the cones out. Before every session, the man who has transformed how England’s Under 21s go about their business dons a tracksuit and cap, training equipment in hand.

Lee Carsley, assisted by Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott, does not have to do that now — not when his stock is higher than ever — but clearly the ritual has served him well.

Saturday night will be no different before the Young Lions attempt to win a first European Championship in 39 years against fancied Spain.

‘No, I’ll never stop that,’ says Carsley. ‘It’s the best bit. I love setting up… then the lads get there and wreck it when they start booting balls about.’

The perfect set-up extends to his tactical nous. England have surprised many here in Georgia by playing two progressive central midfielders in Angel Gomes and Curtis Jones, shunning a natural screener.

Lee Carsley still puts the cones out before every session and he insists he will never stop that

England Under 21 will seek to win their first trophy in 39 years when they face Spain in the final

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The extravagant expanse has taken some time to fully tune, effectively the entire qualification campaign, and the biggest compliment that can be paid to Carsley is this team look like a Spanish side.

There had been teething problems in training, the players drilled over and over again while getting it ‘completely wrong’.

Carsley says they had to ‘take a few bumps and bruises’ before reaching a position of comfort in daringly advancing possession in a way never seen by an England outfit. ‘I always feel like we’re on the edge,’ he adds. ‘That’s how we have to play.’

The 49-year-old’s eldest son, Callum, is assistant technical director at Birmingham City and had been messaging his dad to ‘get the ball forward quicker to the big man’. That advice goes ignored.

‘We haven’t got a big man,’ says Carsley, before noting his own age. ‘We keep reminding ourselves how young our players are. It doesn’t help (for me) that Callum turned 27 on Tuesday. 27. It’s not right! ‘I’d like to think that they see me more as someone who’s trying to help them as opposed to a stepdad.’

The players trust him and over two years in the job, Carsley has been terrific company. Self-deprecating and dry, while earning the respect of young players who are routinely valued in the tens of millions.

An unlikely midfield pair of Curtis Jones (left) and Angel Gomes has proven to be a success 

Given he has never taken a full-time senior job, and many of his squad will not have seen him play, it represents an admirable feat. Anthony Gordon claimed last week that he is the best man- manager he has ever worked under. And that list includes Carlo Ancelotti.

The group call him ‘Cars’ or Lee, which in itself is interesting. ‘I don’t need to be called boss or gaffer for them to understand that I’m in charge of what’s going on,’ says Carsley.

‘It’s my own thing. I’m not looking at these players as a springboard for myself. I see this as making sure I do a good job. We’ve spoken about how this is literally a moment in time and it’s going to pass quickly.’

With that, Carsley wants this hugely talented squad, whom he agrees is probably the best in a generation, to go forth and make history. It has felt that the past three weeks, the free-flowing beauty of an international team resembling a strong club side, is a culmination of years of hard work at St George’s Park through the age groups.

Phil Beadle, an education specialist, has been in to speak with the coaches on how to squeeze the best from the squad. A psychologist, Tom Bates, who accompanied Carsley to watch Pep Guardiola train at Barcelona, has also been around. ‘If we can get to the latter stage of these tournaments, like we have done, and still play with that freedom and style, that’s going to help the senior team,’ says Carsley.

‘I still think there’s that deep loneliness that goes with a footballer. I can see sometimes, especially after games, if they’ve not played or it’s not gone so well. But they seem to be able to bounce back quicker.

Carsley has transformed how England’s Under 21s go about their business since taking the job

‘We’ve got 22 individuals in there. At clubs you say, “It’s all about the team”. But really it’s “all about the team, as long as I’m playing”. They’ve hid that really well, they understand this is England.’

Channel 4 are showing today’s showpiece, which is a popular decision among supporters who have only been able to marvel at a team yet to concede in this tournament via UEFA’s streaming service.

Carsley thinks the lack of broadcast interest is down to England’s dismal track record at the Euros before this. ‘It’s brilliant for the players because they’ve played so well in this tournament and played with such freedom,’ he says. ‘Given the way they have conducted themselves, it would be great if they could put on a similar performance and show the viewers potentially the next internationals and what that team looks like.

‘I’m looking forward to it. The team have got maybe two or three levels to go. If they click it’ll be a hell of a performance. The bigger the stage you’ll see a different intensity to the team.’

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