Thomas Tuchel heads into England's last-32 World Cup meeting with DR Congo in Atlanta carrying a bundle of concerns — a depleted right-back pool, fitness questions across the squad, and the persistent puzzle of how to unlock a deep-sitting defence.
The right-back crisis
England's right-back position has been ravaged by injury. Reece James was first to fall, suffering a hamstring problem after the draw with Ghana, before his replacement Jarell Quansah twisted his ankle badly in the final group-stage match against Panama. Tino Livramento had already been ruled out before the tournament began with a calf injury.
That leaves Tuchel with Djed Spence as the most realistic option, with Trevoh Chalobah — summoned as injury cover — yet to feature at the tournament. Ezri Konsa, primarily a centre-back, exists as an emergency fallback.
Spence played 66 minutes of the draw with Ghana — though on the left side of defence — before being rested against Panama. Former England right-back Gary Neville told Sky Sports he believed Tuchel was protecting the player given how thin the options are.
