Carragher: Tuchel to blame for England’s World Cup right-back crisis

Jamie Carragher has laid the blame for England’s right-back selection headache squarely at the door of Thomas Tuchel, describing the manager’s decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah for the injured Tino Livramento as “bizarre”. The Sky Sports pundit believes the Football Association squad tweak has left Tuchel short of specialist options as England prepare for Monday’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico.

The issue has been compounded by fresh fitness concerns, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both described as serious doubts for the game. That leaves Tuchel with a genuine selection dilemma at right-back heading into the knockout stages.

Spence struggles, Rice fills in

Djed Spence was given the nod in the last-32 victory over DR Congo but, according to Carragher, failed to impress in the role. Declan Rice ended that match occupying the right-back position, a solution Carragher does not want to see repeated against Mexico.

Carragher’s view is that Rice is far too valuable in midfield to be shifted out of position simply to paper over a gap created by Tuchel’s own squad choices. He argues the manager needs to find a more natural fit rather than continuing to use a makeshift arrangement in a knockout fixture.

Konsa touted as solution

As a way out of the problem, Carragher has suggested Ezri Konsa could be redeployed at right-back for the meeting with Mexico. The idea would allow England to keep Rice in his preferred central role while still fielding a recognised defender in the wide berth.

With James and Quansah both major injury doubts, Tuchel’s options look increasingly limited, and Carragher’s comments will only add to the scrutiny on the head coach’s squad planning heading into a crucial last-16 encounter. England will be hoping the situation is resolved before kick-off on Monday.

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