In his final press conference before signing off as England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley talked of the “bonus” he had left for the incoming Thomas Tuchel.
“We’ve increased the pool of players,” Carsley explained. "And the next squad will be a real challenge to pick, I’m sure.”
In all, eight players have made England debuts across the course of Carsley’s six games in charge, the majority having played under the former Everton midfielder at youth level and all born since the turn of the millennium.
Tuchel, though, will have his own ideas about personnel and with a single focus on winning the World Cup only 18 months after he takes charge, it remains to be seen whether the German finds time to continue blooding this next generation.
So, which of the new boys impressed and who might have a shot at making Tuchel's first squad in March?
Morgan Gibbs-White
Debuted off the bench in the win away in Ireland in Carsley’s first game and then set up Curtis Jones’s clincher in another cameo in Greece last week.
Was close to a call-up more than once under Gareth Southgate so has been knocking on the door for some time, but may need injuries given Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are still to come back in.
Angel Gomes
The left-field pick at the start of the short Carsley era and at one stage looked set to be its defining player, having impressed in September and October.
Only afforded 11 minutes across the most recent break, but the Lille midfielder’s skillset is unique among his rivals and Tuchel will surely want a diverse set of options.
Cameos in September and October, but backed to start both games this month and grabbed his chance, with the highlight a fine assist for Ollie Watkins in Athens.
Concern is that club form has dipped recently and Chelsea have a wealth of wide options. Must keep his Premier League shirt to have any chance of involvement once Bukayo Saka, Foden and Palmer return, with Jarrod Bowen also a contender.
Curtis Jones
Another who Southgate had wanted to cap sooner and showed why with superb display on belated debut in Greece, including brilliant flicked goal.
In what remains a problem position for England alongside Declan Rice, the Liverpool man offers a nice blend of control, discipline and attacking threat.
Lewis Hall
Newcastle left-back was the big winner of the break. On as a half-time substitute against Greece and then played 90 minutes against Ireland at Wembley.
Looked supremely comfortable in a position where England have precious few options unless Luke Shaw can get fit. Surely a keeper.
Morgan Rogers
Maybe a slight surprise that his chance did not come at the peak of his Aston Villa form earlier in the season.
A couple of lively introductions off the bench last week and clearly a huge talent but given he was only a late injury replacement in this squad, will do well to get in next time.
Tino Livramento
Another Newcastle full-back who enjoyed a decent show, setting up team-mate Anthony Gordon at Wembley on Sunday.
Unlike Hall, though, competition is rife: Trent Alexander-Arnold will return, Kyle Walker is still around, Reece James is fit at last and is a Tuchel favourite, and Ben White could even end his England exile.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
The surprise call-up this month, his headed goal on debut against the Irish was a nice moment.
Beyond John Stones and Marc Guehi, Tuchel arrives to a decent number of centre-back options - Ezri Konsa, Jarrad Branthwaite, Levi Colwill, Jarrell Quansah, perhaps White - so Southampton defender may have to bide his time.
