Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane has voiced significant concerns regarding England manager Thomas Tuchel's selection policy, stating he doesn't believe Tuchel knows his optimal starting eleven. Keane's comments came after England's 2-0 win against Panama on Saturday, a result that saw the Three Lions finish top of their World Cup group in New Jersey.
England's performance was described as underwhelming in the first half before Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane found the net after the break. The victory secured a spot in the last-32, with their next match scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta. Tuchel opted for five changes from the team that previously drew with Ghana, notably bringing in Jarrell Quansah for the injured Reece James. Quansah himself picked up a knock during the match, adding to Tuchel's defensive concerns.
Keane, speaking on ITV, did not hold back in his assessment. "I don't think he has a clue what his best XI is," he remarked, adding, "That's not good. Defensively, he's chopping and changing. It's not just the wide players… other positions." Keane further suggested that too many England players in attacking roles were not performing consistently enough, leading to what he termed a "toss of a coin" situation for selection.
Among the other changes made by Tuchel were the inclusions of Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, and Marcus Rashford in the forward line, with Harry Kane being the only constant upfront. Despite Keane's critique, midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored his second goal of the tournament, expressed optimism. "First job achieved," Bellingham commented post-match, highlighting the team's objective to top the group. He also praised Kane, whose goal saw him surpass Gary Lineker to become England's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 11.
England's progression means they will face one of Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, or Austria in the last-32 knockout stage. The match is set for Wednesday at 5pm BST, and Tuchel will undoubtedly be scrutinising his squad options, particularly in light of recent injuries and Keane's pointed observations.