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5 hours ago
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Key events
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 is joining us for an hour or so to answer all your questions.
Jacob has been with England for the whole tournament and is heading south this weekend ahead of the last-16 match up on Sunday/Monday morning. He is online answering your questions now. Post your question in the comments now and he will answer as many as time allows.
In the meantime here’s some reading on last night’s game and beyond from Jacob and colleagues …
