Alan Shearer, speaking as a Betfair ambassador, has called on England's wingers to increase their unpredictability to enhance the Three Lions' prospects in the World Cup knockout stages. England is set to face DR Congo in the last-32 on Wednesday.
Despite finishing top of their group, England's offense has drawn criticism for struggling to create clear-cut chances. The team was held to a goalless draw by Ghana and took over an hour to break down Panama's defense in a 2-0 victory. DR Congo, who secured a 1-1 draw with Portugal in the group stages, is expected to employ a similar deep-lying, counter-attacking strategy.
Shearer highlighted Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, and Marcus Rashford as players who need to deliver more. While he suggested keeping Rashford and Saka in the starting lineup, he emphasized the necessity for them to vary their approach.
"There's more to come from all of our wingers... We haven't seen the best of what they can do yet," Shearer stated. "I know it's difficult because when teams sit deep, there's not a lot of space to run into. But the best finds a way, the best keep crossing the ball, whether that's going on the outside or crossing it from the inside. We definitely need more from our wide men, all four of them."
Shearer advocated for the wingers to challenge defenders by switching between attacking on the outside and cutting inside. He noted that against Ghana, the team's play was "too slow, too predictable, too safe." He added, "Too many times, I thought they cut inside and just were happy to whip that ball in and no one was getting on the end of it. So, I don't mind them coming inside now and again, but they also have to go on the outside as well to mix things up."
England's potential path through the tournament could see them face co-hosts Mexico in the last-16, should they overcome DR Congo. Mexico advanced to the knockout stage after a 2-0 win against Ecuador.