Former England captain Alan Shearer has urged manager Thomas Tuchel to shake up his starting XI for the upcoming World Cup fixture against Panama, advocating strongly for the inclusion of Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford. Following a disappointing draw with Ghana, Shearer believes both personnel changes and a shift in the team's approach are essential to secure a crucial victory.
Shearer expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of England's wingers against Ghana, specifically naming Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke. He criticised their lack of attacking intent, stating they “didn't attack their defender enough” and highlighting consistently poor crossing that often failed to beat the first man. This perceived lack of directness and effective service from wide areas has led Shearer to conclude that Saka and Rashford, who have both impressed in substitute appearances, deserve starting berths. He suggested that Saka's fitness might be the only reason for his absence from previous starting lineups, with the Arsenal winger slotting in on the right and Rashford on the left, demanding more energy and directness in one-on-one situations from both.
Beyond the wings, Shearer also sees scope for alterations in defence. He anticipates the return of Nico O'Reilly at left-back, replacing Djed Spence. O'Reilly's introduction against Ghana reportedly injected more creativity and quality down the left flank, culminating in a disallowed header that struck the crossbar. Furthermore, Shearer suggested that John Stones could come back into the side for Ezri Konsa. While acknowledging that England's primary issue against Ghana was breaking down a resolute defence, he raised concerns about defensive vulnerabilities, citing two instances where Ghana could have earned a penalty or seen Jordan Pickford dismissed.
Despite the need for changes, Shearer was firm on retaining key figures. He stated that the midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson should remain intact, provided Rice is fit. Crucially, he also stressed the importance of keeping Harry Kane in the starting lineup, particularly given England's need for a win to top the group. Panama, already eliminated from the tournament, is expected to maintain their deep-lying defensive style, presenting England with a similar challenge to the Ghana game. Shearer concluded that England must adopt a more urgent mindset, moving the ball quicker and taking more risks to succeed.
Historical data offers some comfort, as every World Cup winner since 2006 has dropped points in either their first or second group game, yet still progressed to win their respective groups. This trend provides context for England's current position, but Shearer's analysis underscores the immediate need for a decisive response against Panama to maintain control of their World Cup destiny.
Source: Alan Shearer