England begin their World Cup finals campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, but Thomas Tuchel has a number of selection problems, most notably in defence.
Thomas Tuchel faces some big decisions (Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
With less than 24 hours left until England’s kick-off against the Democratic Republic of Congo, debate is heating up over who Thomas Tuchel should choose. Despite finishing unbeaten and finishing top of Group L with seven points, the Three Lions faced a lot of criticism throughout their three group stage matches.
Tuchel has already used 20 of his 26 players due to injuries and fitness issues. England appear to be cursed at right-back, with first-choice Reece James, substitute Tino Libramento and stop-gap Jarrell Quansah all injured.
But there is more than just one position to debate. Supporters want to see a winning performance with confidence, belief and goals, and much of that will depend on Tuchel’s starting XI.
I asked the mirror football team for eleven.
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john cross
Tuchel has made all the team’s choices regarding right-backs. England’s manager made a huge mistake by picking two injury-prone players in James and Livramento, one of whom has returned home and the other with injury.
It seems the time has come for manager Tuchel to seriously support Jed Spence. Just select him against DR Congo, make him your first choice at right-back and use him as is. That’s not ideal. But sadly, it’s Tuchel.
James could return in the last 16 and Quansah twisted his ankle against Panama, but it all feels like a perfect storm. Clearly, John Stones is not doing as well as Tuchel would have liked. The defender looked rusty in the first game, hasn’t returned since and feels lackluster due to lack of playing time.
Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi are a good combination in central defence, with Nico O’Reilly at left-back and Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson selected in midfield. Bukayo Saka should start against the Democratic Republic of the Congo if he is fit, and Marcus Rashford provided more pace and spark on the left against Panama than Anthony Gordon previously showed.
Harry Kane is clearly the only option up front, but let’s hope Ivan Toney seizes his moment as we head into the knockouts. Paraguay’s shock over Germany and Morocco’s penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands were lessons to prepare spot-kick specialists. Tony is exactly that.
Cross’ XI: Pickford. Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly. Anderson, Rice. Saka, Bellingham, Rashford. Kane
How should England fare against the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Tell us your XI in the comments section.
John Cross believes Jed Spence should start at right-back (Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ryan taylor
Tuchel has been criticized by pundits for not knowing his best team. While that appears to be true, it’s not due to a lack of effort, as several starters were unable to perform due to injury issues.
A lot will depend on who is appointed as right-back. If Spence is trusted to start against the Democratic Republic of Congo, the back four will be Spence, Konsa, Guehi and O’Reilly.
Personally, I like the idea of Stones partnering Guehi and playing Konsa at right-back. This gives England more of a presence from set-pieces, and even if they lose a bit of their in-play attacking threat, it only tightens England up going forward.
Anderson, Rice and Bellingham (number 10) complete the midfield, with a change of guard on the wings. Gordon and Noni Madueke started the first two games, but Rashford and Saka have now emerged.
It would not be a surprise if Madueke starts this game, as Saka’s condition is still under control and there will be tough games over the next few weeks if England progress.
Rashford, who has dislodged left-winger Gordon, will definitely start. Harry Kane at the top obviously needs no introduction, but I would like to see Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney get playing time.
Taylors XI: Pickford. Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly. Anderson, Rice. Saka, Bellingham, Rashford. Kane
John Stones was benched after England’s opener (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
nathan ridley
Everyone agrees that right-back is a challenge for Tuchel, but I’d like to point out one more thing: central midfield. It’s understandable why Tuchel likes the combination of Rice and Anderson. Because they are the kind of duo that can win midfield battles.
But games against opponents like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with all due respect to African teams, are not won or lost in the midfield, and the team that has most of the ball needs something special to break through. That’s why I would rest Anderson and start Koby Mainu, who showed his worth when he broke into Gareth Southgate’s line-up at Euro 2024.
Remember how Mainu ran the show in the semi-final against the Netherlands? The Manchester United star has played little international football in the last two years but is more than capable of featuring alongside Declan Rice.
Koby Mainu has never played in a World Cup (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
I also think not starting Anderson will be a benefit for England, who travel to Mexico in the round of 16 and could face either the tournament’s co-hosts or Ecuador. You could move Bellingham into a deeper role and start Morgan Rodgers in the number 10 spot that Tuchel did against Panama, but I would actually start Rodgers on the left wing and use Marcus Rashford, who was at his best under Tuchel, as an impact substitute.
For me, Konsa would get the nod over Spence as a right-back. The main reason is the fact that John Stones is back and can use his ball-handling skills to get Congo open. That would allow Konsa to slip inside and cover Stones while England piled up bodies up front.
Ridley’s XI: Pickford. Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly. Mainu, rice. Saka, Bellingham, Rashford. Kane
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