Atlanta (USA) (AFP) – Ever since Thomas Tuchel announced his controversial list, defense has been the line of greatest concern in England and one that needs to be fixed now as the World Cup enters a decisive phase.
First modification: 06/30/2026 – 12:48
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England start as heavy favorites in the last 16 against Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, but if predictions are correct their path will become steeper later with possible cross-overs with hosts Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are playing their part in attack, but the Three Lions are concerned that their African opponents will expose holes in the defence, particularly at right back.
“We haven’t seen the best of this England team in attack yet, but what worries me most is how many times we have been exposed in defense,” Alan Shearer, a former England international, warned the BBC.
Tuchel was chosen to coach England, who finished second in the last two European Cups, to complete their return to the top after 60 years without winning a major title.
But their decision to keep talents such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White at home has sparked intense debate in the country, which has intensified at the World Cup, particularly due to the difficulties they have faced playing a very locked-in defence.
However, the German’s most disconcerting approaches have been at right-back, which became evident following a hamstring injury to current position holder Reece James.
Disputed list
The decision to call up James, the Chelsea captain whose career had been hampered by injury, and to ignore Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid right-back, was already suspicious.
And the biggest surprise was that Tuchel was forced to replace Tino Livramento, who came on for James, due to injury just before the World Cup, and he also did not call up Alexander-Arnold.
Tuchel opted to call up sixth centre-back Trevo Chalobah instead and had no clear path forward to replace James.
One option is Jed Spence, a Tottenham left-back who doesn’t have much international experience.
Ezri Konsa or Jarrell Quansah, centre-backs for Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen, could also line up.
Quansa played against Panama and was injured due to a sprained ankle.
Tuchel knows that if the situation does not improve in the coming weeks, he will face an avalanche of criticism.
“We believe that we will improve and we will… there is no problem working and growing in such a tournament,” the German said.
“Now it’s important that we continue to have faith, focusing on what we can influence and knowing that every game will be different,” he said.
© 2026 AFP