Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, has voiced strong criticism of England manager Thomas Tuchel's squad decisions, particularly concerning the right-back position, and expressed skepticism about the team's World Cup aspirations.
England advanced to the last 16 with a narrow 2-1 victory over DR Congo, secured by a late brace from Harry Kane. This win followed a less convincing group stage performance, leading to concerns ahead of their upcoming match against co-hosts Mexico.
The right side of England's defense has been a persistent issue. First-choice right-back Reece James was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and his deputy, Tino Livramento, was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a calf problem. While the tournament had not yet begun when Livramento sustained his injury, allowing for a replacement, Tuchel's choice to call up Chelsea center-back Trevoh Chalobah instead of a natural right-back drew significant attention and criticism.
Djed Spence, originally selected as a backup left-back, was shifted to the right flank for the DR Congo match, a position where the opposition exploited gaps early in the game. Carragher argued that Chalobah's inclusion, given his primary role as a center-back, has created an unnecessary defensive imbalance.
"This all just goes back to Thomas Tuchel's decisions around the right back area. It's just not been right from day one with the squad that's been picked," Carragher stated on Sky Sports News. "He picked two very injury-prone players at right back, he brought another right back if you like, Djed Spence, but at left back. But I think to bring Chalobah in when there were injuries in that position was a bizarre decision. He's not a right back, so you're going to leave yourself short."
Carragher also dismissed suggestions that midfielder Declan Rice should be deployed at right-back permanently. "No, I wouldn't start Declan Rice at right-back," he said. "Look, England have got a slim chance of going all the way in the World Cup, I don't think playing Declan Rice as the right-back from now until the end of the tournament would be the solution." He explained that moving Rice would deplete England's midfield, citing a difficult performance from Elliot Anderson when Rice was absent from the midfield against less challenging opposition.
While acknowledging that Spence did not have his best game against DR Congo, Carragher suggested that criticism directed at him might be excessive. He noted that few players have performed exceptionally well in the tournament so far, with only Kane and Jude Bellingham consistently impressing. Carragher believes the defensive issues against DR Congo were not solely the fault of the back four, but rather a consequence of how easily the opposition was able to attack the defensive line.
Carragher concluded that England's defense represents the team's weakest area, and the tactical choices made by Tuchel have exacerbated these vulnerabilities, potentially impacting their slim chances of winning the World Cup. The team is set to face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Monday morning.