England face DR Congo in the last 32 of the World Cup with several key issues for Thomas Tuchel ahead of his first knockout game as boss.
Reece James’ injury presents a selection dilemma at right-back, while England’s lack of end product against low blocks will also be at the forefront of Tuchel’s thinking. Are doubts also creeping in regarding Jordan Pickford’s form in goal?
Here, Sky Sports analyses the key talking points ahead of the meeting in Atlanta…
Who should play right-back?
Right-back has suddenly become a problem position for Tuchel after he lost first James with a hamstring injury following the draw with Ghana and then Jarell Quansah – who came in for the Chelsea man against Panama – with a badly-twisted ankle in that final group game. Both will miss the DR Congo game.
So the England boss is now down to just Djed Spence, possibly Trevoh Chalobah – called up after the injury curse first struck to rule out Tino Livramento with a calf issue during the build-up to the tournament – and in a real emergency, versatile centre-back Ezri Konsa.
Spence played the last 10 minutes of the opening win against Croatia, but as a left-back – where he was mainly used at Tottenham last season – then 66 minutes of the goalless draw with Ghana, again on the left-hand side of the defence, before starting on the bench and then replacing the injured Quansah for the final 27 minutes of the Panama game.
“Tuchel has got Spence, who he rested the other day,” the former England right-back told Sky Sports. “I hope that’s because he needs to play the rest of the games. But we are very thin on the ground.”
And with Konsa likely to start in the centre of defence and Chalobah yet to have any game time at the tournament, Spence – who has impressed when he has been called upon in the warm-ups and group contests – should be the man entrusted with the role on Wednesday.
Rich Morgan
Not the game for Kane to drop deep?
A key element of England’s plan to get the best from Harry Kane was allowing him to play to his strengths – and they include dropping deep with runners beyond. It has shaped Tuchel’s thinking in prioritising pure pace over trickery on the wings.
But against Panama, who offered so little space in behind their defence, Kane’s impact came in a more conventional manner – nodding in a cross from close range. It highlighted that he can be that box presence and that is what might be required again.
DR Congo have had some of the lowest possession numbers at this World Cup so do not expect the wingers to be racing into vacant space behind the full-backs too often. Kane’s passing range, such a great weapon, may have to wait. England need his finishing.
Adam Bate
Bellingham role upon Rice return?
Jude Bellingham was the player of the match in England’s win over Panama but is likely to see his role switched for this game due to the return of Declan Rice in midfield. The task is to continue getting the best from him in whatever position he is assigned.
On the face of it, Rice’s absence required Bellingham to play deeper – but the formation has always been a bit more nuanced than that. While Rice is often described as playing alongside Elliot Anderson, he has in reality often been deployed in advance of him in the left channel.
Those are the positions that Bellingham frequently took up in the 2-0 win against Panama – scoring one and setting up the other – having previously played from the right. His touch maps show that he was able to get on the ball much more last time out.
He actually had more touches in the opposition box in this game as well as showcasing his tackling abilities once again. Bellingham is at his best when he is able to go where the action is and influence things. It will be interesting how it plays out with Rice back.
Adam Bate
Who starts on the wings?
Tuchel changed both wingers for the final group game against Panama as Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford replaced Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. The pair will be confident of keeping their places in the starting line-up against DR Congo.
Rashford was erratic against Panama, only hitting the target with one of his five shots and not completing any of his six crosses. But he offered considerably more attacking threat than Gordon, while Saka appears to have overcome his fitness issues.
Rashford and Saka have averaged more than twice as many shots per 90 minutes as Madueke and Gordon at the tournament so far. They have also averaged considerably more touches and passes, reflecting their greater involvement generally.
Saka has been carefully managed by Tuchel, appearing as a substitute against Croatia and Ghana before coming off in the 62nd minute against Panama. Now that the knockouts have arrived, though, he should be in a better condition to deliver his best. His set-piece delivery is another invaluable asset.
Nick Wright
How England can break DR Congo’s low block
DR Congo frequently sit in a low-to-mid block out of possession but England’s issue at this World Cup has not been creating shots against deep defences – it has been turning that pressure into clear chances and goals.
According to FIFA data, DR Congo have spent more than half of their out-of-possession time in a low-to-mid block. The pattern is clear: they are happy to retreat into shape, protect central areas and invite opponents to find a way through.
Senegal, France, Germany and Canada have each scored twice during phases when opponents were sitting deep. France and Senegal have combined that finishing touch with shot volume, producing between seven and eight shots per 10 minutes in that game state.
England have yet to score against a low block at this World Cup, but their shot rate is similar to France and Senegal. That suggests the problem is not simply getting efforts away.
