Alan Shearer critiques England’s performance ahead of knockout clash
Alan Shearer has identified just four England players as genuine bright spots from Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Panama, casting doubt over the Three Lions’ readiness for Wednesday’s round of 16 encounter with DR Congo, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the former England captain highlighted Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, and Marc Guehi as the only positives from the group-stage finale.
“The positives today have been without a doubt Kane getting his goal. Bellingham getting his goal and assist. I thought Elliot Anderson in midfield was superb,” Shearer said. “I thought Marc Guehi used his pace at times to great effect when England were in one or two spots of bother.”
However, the lack of a settled starting eleven remains a pressing issue for manager Thomas Tuchel as they prepare for the knockout stages. Across 270 minutes of group football, Tuchel has deployed nine different combinations of full-backs and wingers, utilising eight separate players in those positions.
Shearer believes this constant rotation stems from Tuchel’s inability to find the right formula. Injuries have certainly complicated matters, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both sidelined at right-back, while Bukayo Saka has not been fully fit. The persistent shuffling has hindered England from posing a consistent attacking threat down the flanks, leaving uncertainty about its strongest lineup three matches into the tournament.
The fragility at the back represents Shearer’s primary concern heading into the Atlanta showdown. England have appeared vulnerable whenever opponents have mounted attacks throughout all three group fixtures, conceding twice during a poor first-half display against Croatia, while managing to avoid punishment against Ghana and Panama despite shaky performances.
And that will be what they have to work on because the further they go, if they give the chances they have today, then they will be punished,” Shearer warned. Another reshaped defensive unit appears likely against DR Congo, with Djed Spence potentially continuing at right-back or Ezri Konsa shifting from centre-half, possibly allowing John Stones to partner Guehi if fitness permits.
Shearer has also raised concerns about Stones, questioning whether the defender might be carrying an injury after missing the previous two matches. Superior opponents in later stages of the tournament will capitalise on such defensive lapses, making recovery from errors increasingly difficult. Yet the Newcastle legend retains faith in England’s ability to progress, pointing to the match-winning quality of their leading performers.
Bellingham’s opening goal against Panama demonstrated his remarkable ability to conjure something from nothing, converting a corner that was not particularly well delivered through sheer strength, balance, and skill. “We still know we can rely on our big-hitters to step up and produce something brilliant to change the course of the game,” Shearer observed.
DR Congo will likely adopt similar defensive tactics to Ghana and Panama, sitting deep before attempting to catch England on the counter-attack. In the coming days, the spotlight will be firmly on how the Three Lions navigate this challenge, often revealing the character of a team strengthened by adversity.
