By Bilal Ahmed
Following a goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday, England manager Thomas Tuchel may consider several changes to his squad for the upcoming match against Panama. The draw, which took place at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, left England with work to do to secure the top spot in Group L of the World Cup.
Historically, every World Cup winner since 2006 has dropped points in either their first or second group game, yet still managed to win their group. England, currently at the top of their group, aims to follow this pattern by defeating Panama on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium.
Potential squad adjustments
Tuchel is expected to make significant changes to the starting lineup. Concerns have been raised regarding the performance of wingers Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke against Ghana. Their attacking play was deemed insufficient, with limited direct runs at defenders and poor crossing accuracy. Deliveries from set-pieces were also noted as subpar.
This situation could open opportunities for Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford to start. Both players have shown enough impact when coming on as substitutes in previous games to warrant a starting role. Saka’s fitness is believed to be the primary reason he has not started so far, but if he is ready, he could feature on the right, with Rashford on the left. The expectation is for both players to bring more energy and directness, particularly in one-on-one situations, and to focus on more forward passing.
Another area where a change is anticipated is at left-back. Nico O’Reilly, who came closest to scoring against Ghana with a header that struck the bar, could return to the starting XI in place of Djed Spence. O’Reilly’s introduction in the previous match brought a noticeable increase in creativity and attacking threat down the left flank. He was effective in finding good positions and offered more on the ball during his time on the pitch.
In defence, Tuchel might also consider bringing John Stones back into the team, potentially replacing Ezri Konsa. While England’s main challenge against Ghana was breaking down their defence, there were also defensive concerns. Ghana had two significant attacking opportunities, one of which could have resulted in a penalty, and another where goalkeeper Jordan Pickford might have faced a red card. Pickford’s distribution in the first game was described as poor, and he was caught out against Ghana when rushing out, suggesting some uncertainty in the defence.
Mindset and strategy
Panama has already been eliminated from the World Cup, having lost both of their matches. The head-to-head rule means they are confirmed to finish at the bottom of their group. Despite playing only for pride, Panama is expected to maintain its defensive style of play, which means England will likely face a similar challenge to the one against Ghana: breaking down a compact defence.
To succeed, England may need to adjust their mindset, in addition to personnel changes. There is a call for greater urgency, quicker ball movement, and more risk-taking. However, the midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson is expected to remain unchanged, assuming Rice is fit, to allow their partnership to develop further. Harry Kane is also expected to retain his place in the team, particularly given the importance of securing a win in this match.
The draw with Ghana, while disappointing, is not seen as a disaster. The World Cup has progressed past its halfway stage, and England is considered part of the excitement, alongside teams like the USA, France, and Argentina. Despite the recent setback, England remains at the top of their group and is on track to win it, with bigger tests anticipated in the knockout stages.
The match against Panama is scheduled for Saturday.
Source: bbc.com
