Tuchel Juggles 9 England Flank Pairings Before Last-32 Clash With DR Congo
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 29
Tuchel Juggles 9 England Flank Pairings Before Last-32 Clash With DR Congo
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 29
Summary
Three group games into the World Cup, England still lack a settled lineup, with Thomas Tuchel yet to find reliable wide and defensive combinations before Wednesday's last-32 match in Atlanta.
Nine different full-back and winger pairings have been used across 270 minutes, driven partly by injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah and Bukayo Saka not being fully fit.
England's attack has still leaned on key individuals—Jude Bellingham starred against Panama and Harry Kane scored again—but open-play delivery has been poor, with Marcus Rashford and Saka completing none of 9 crosses.
The bigger concern is at the back: England were exposed in all 3 group matches, and Tuchel may reshuffle the back four again against DR Congo, with stronger opponents likely to punish the same flaws later on.