England team list ‘spills out’ before World Cup game vs DR Congo
Thomas Tuchel has made some big decisions ahead of England’s World Cup match against DR Congo on Wednesday evening, including putting Bukayo Saka on the bench. England earned seven points out of nine in Group L, including a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, setting up their round of 32 game against DR Congo.
Tuchel was grateful for Jude Bellingham’s great performance in the Panama game, where he scored the first goal in the 62nd minute and helped Harry Kane score shortly after. Bellingham and Kane are likely to start again, hoping to lead England to another win before facing Mexico in the last 16.
While the forward spots seem clear, Tuchel is having some challenges in defense. Jordan Pickford will start as goalkeeper with Nico O’Reilly at left back. The defense line is expected to include Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Djed Spence. Spence came on in the Panama game after Jarell Quansah was injured and is now getting a chance to prove himself, especially after Reece James got hurt.
There will also be changes in midfield. Declan Rice, who rested against Panama, will be back alongside Elliot Anderson. Bellingham will play as the number 10, with Marcus Rashford on the left. Rice’s return means Morgan Rogers drops out, and in a surprise move, Noni Madueke has been chosen over Bukayo Saka, while Kane leads the attack.
As England faces their first knockout game, there’s a possibility of a penalty shootout. Tuchel wants to avoid this, especially against a lower-ranked team, but the team is preparing just in case. Before Gareth Southgate became manager in 2016, England didn’t do well in shootouts, winning only one of seven. Since Southgate took over, they have won three out of four, and Tuchel says they will keep following that process.
“The FA has a programme that has been in place for years and we follow the programme,” Tuchel said. “We are prepared. We have a process, the players have a process.”
He also shared that he has a rough plan for the order of penalty takers, but it could change depending on who’s playing and who feels confident. “It is difficult to simulate the situation of a penalty shootout,” he said. “Thierry Henry once said he can’t even remember walking up to take his first penalty for France – you just can’t train that.”