Welcome to the Conversation
After seventy minutes of agony, and 10 minutes of Harry Kane inevitability, England fans were finally able to relax at the final whistle of their team’s 2-1 win against DR Congo in Atlanta yesterday. As Thomas Tuchel’s team prepare to head to Mexico City for the daunting task of playing the co-hosts in the Azteca, England correspondent Jacob Steinberg joins us now to answer your questions.
Key events
Why were England so vulnerable on the far post from open play?
FukuokaKyushu asks: Why were England so vulnerable on the far post from open play? The wide midfielders seemed to be instructed not to track back and the defenders were always outnumbered – it seemed an obvious flaw to be exploited by a team capable of fast ball movement, especially on the counter.
Jacob says:
I think Madueke was staying high and with Masuaku, the DRC left-back. My reading of the goal is Sadiki confuses the defence by running from midfield. Konsa should take him, he doesn’t, Spence gets dragged over and that creates the overload. It wasn’t really that complicated. If Konsa takes Sadiki then Spence can stay with Cipenga. I think.
Why do England start so slowly and with the wrong tactics?
Chymist asks: Why do England start so slowly and with the wrong tactics? Is Tuchel really very strategically naive or are the England players just not very good and need time to get to know each other in every match?
Jacob says:
Good question. That was the sixth consecutive knockout game in which England have conceded the first goal, going back to the France quarter-final in 2022. So this is something that’s happened under two different managers, suggesting it’s as much down to mentality as tactics.
How much are we missing Maguire?
Hottrotters asks: How much are we missing Maguire, both in defence and at set pieces?
Jacob says:
I think you only need to look at Maguire’s reaction to being left out of the squad to see why he isn’t here.
What’s the main problem with England’s defence?
cjsavory asks: Is the main problem with England’s defence right now the ability level of the players, the lack of game time they’ve had together, the structure in which they’ve been set up, their communication skills, or all of the above?
Jacob says:
It’s all a far cry from the Gareth Southgate defence of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker, with Kieran Trippier in reserve. Stones is still around but is ageing and the replacements don’t look up to scratch. I love Nico O’Reilly but even he’s said his future position is in midfield. Then you’ve got the injuries, which don’t help. Reece James is a top player but the hamstring problem isn’t a surprise.
Will Tuchel prioritise connections on the flanks?
Alexkemp10 asks: Tuchel has spoken a lot about the importance of connections on the flanks. Do you see him prioritising that maybe with Rice at RB given the understanding with Saka? And do you think we‘ll be less adventurous in the press against Mexico given the altitude?
Jacob says:
I think the best way for England to handle this game would to play with a low block. Embrace their inner Arsenal. Spoil, irritate, silence the crowd, win it with a set-piece. They don’t look geared to play an open game in these conditions. The best thing to do would be to force Mexico to seize the initiative. Make them anxious. Put them under pressure.
Why no John Stones?
maccamacmac asks: Why isn’t John Stones playing?
Jacob says:
I think it’s pretty telling that Tuchel’s reaction to losing Tino Livramento at right-back was to bring in a sixth centre-back in Trevoh Chalobah. That was after seeing Stones play in the warm-up games against New Zealand and Costa Rica. Stones played five games for Man City after Christmas. If he’s off the pace it isn’t surprising. But he might be needed against Mexico.
Should Tuchel start with Rice at right-back?
Jim4Fish asks: Is it just me or should Tuchel start with Rice at right-back? I think he stumbled on the perfect solution to this problem. Rice can defend, Rice is quick but also reads the game extremely well. His interceptions get us moving forward. He can distribute the ball like Trent. He teams up with his Arsenal mates on the right. Eze did well. I think starting with this formation gets us off to a flying start. Spence’s goose is cooked. And what about Mainoo? Surely he needs to play at some point. I’m not impressed by Anderson, vastly over rated and flatters to deceive. What’s he actually brought to this team? Frequently out of position. I think he might be an AI. Rooney was spot on saying that this game gives Tuchel some answers. This was cryptic from Rooney but I think he was alluding to Rice at right back, and starting with Saka. Madueke looks flash but he’s limited in scope. Too easy to defend against.
Jacob says:
Maybe, but do you remember how Arsenal struggled when Rice went out of midfield and to right-back after Ben White got injured against West Ham in May? Also with Rice looking weary and feeling a hamstring issue would he be able to take on Julian Quinones? And if you take him out of midfield who plays? Tuchel clearly doesn’t trust Mainoo. The Azteca doesn’t seem the moment to throw in Jordan Henderson. And it didn’t work from a defensive perspective when Jude Bellingham played deeper against Panama.
What’s Tuchel thinking on full-backs?
harveyj asks: What’s the thinking on the full-backs at the moment? Partly it’s about player selection, but options are limited by injury, is Tuchel considering a tactical tweak or just deliver the existing plan better?
Jacob says:
The right-back position is one of the biggest problems in the England team. Djed Spence was pretty much last man standing against the DRC but didn’t have a good game. One option against Mexico would be to use Declan Rice there after he moved back and made an impact in the latter stages on Tuesday but can England really play without him in midfield? I don’t think so. There’s some hope that Reece James returns against Mexico but will he be ready for the altitude? Perhaps it will have to be Ezri Konsa at right-back, with John Stones starting in central defence. But Stones hasn’t started since struggling in the opening game. None of this is ideal.
Welcome to the Conversation
After seventy minutes of agony, and 10 minutes of Harry Kane inevitability, England fans were finally able to relax at the final whistle of their team’s 2-1 win against DR Congo in Atlanta yesterday. As Thomas Tuchel’s team prepare to head to Mexico City for the daunting task of playing the co-hosts in the Azteca, England correspondent Jacob Steinberg joins us now to answer your questions.
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