England urged to consider changes following World Cup opener
Thomas Tuchel has been urged to drop England star Ezri Konsa after the Three Lions began their World Cup campaign with a victory over Croatia. The match saw Konsa partner John Stones in defence, a pairing that conceded two goals in the first half, reports BritPanorama.
England managed to secure a win but found defensive cohesion lacking, particularly in the opening half, leading to criticisms of the defensive setup. The team will face Ghana on June 23, following Ghana’s own successful start against Panama.
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown suggested that Tuchel consider dropping Konsa for the next match. He expressed his belief that Marc Guehi should take Konsa’s place, highlighting the importance of a well-matched defensive partnership. “It was all a little bit shaky in the first half; England weren’t very decisive in defence. What I will say is that in the second half, everything was a lot better, including at the back,” Brown noted.
Adding to Brown’s critique, former England defender Danny Mills agreed, stating that if Stones is fully fit, he should partner with Guehi due to their existing rapport at the club level. “Ezri Konsa did well, but my preferred partnership would be Stones and Guehi because I think they have a better understanding,” Mills remarked.
Brown observed that Stones and Konsa appeared nervous during their first match together, suggesting that Tuchel would need to reassess his defensive alignment ahead of the more challenging fixtures to come. The upcoming games will test England’s ability to tighten their defence, especially against formidable attacking teams as the tournament progresses.
Ultimately, the defensive solidity remains a concern for England. As the tournament unfolds, it will be crucial for the team to refine their cohesion to compete against stronger opposition.
