Jamie Carragher has urged Thomas Tuchel to reposition Declan Rice in a deeper midfield role to unlock the full potential of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham for England's World Cup round of 32 match against DR Congo.
England's Group L win raises tactical questions
England secured a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday to top Group L and advance to the knockout stage. Second-half goals from Kane and Bellingham sealed the win, but the performance left many unresolved tactical issues. Tuchel made five changes from the 0-0 draw with Ghana, yet Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers failed to impress.
Kane managed only one touch inside the penalty area against Panama, though it resulted in the opening goal. According to Carragher, the striker had just 10 touches outside the area in the first half and only 20 total touches against Ghana, limiting his influence.
Carragher's proposed solution
Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher said: 'Kane had only one touch inside the penalty area in the first half against Panama. As much of a concern was how few touches he had outside of the area, too – just 10 in total. Against Ghana, he touched the ball just 20 times. That is limiting the impact of a multi-dimensional striker who is our most lethal weapon.'
Carragher believes the issue stems from Tuchel's use of two advanced midfielders – Morgan Rogers and Bellingham – who occupy similar spaces to Kane. 'This demands a rethink before we play stronger opposition,' he added. 'One solution when Rice returns is to ask him to play deeper in a double pivot alongside Elliot Anderson.'
Defensive concerns and attacking adjustments
Carragher noted that Anderson was exposed against Panama, allowing too many counter-attacks that better teams would have punished. Dropping Rice deeper could also enable Kane and Bellingham to link up more effectively. This would require Tuchel to alter his initial plan of a front five in possession with wide triangles of a winger, full-back and advanced midfielder.
'When Kane drops deep, there is more responsibility for the wingers to threaten more,' Carragher wrote. He pointed to Kane's success at Bayern Munich with wingers Michael Olise and Luis Díaz as a model. However, England's wide players have underperformed: 'Marcus Rashford has been the brightest of the wide men so far, but generally they are not doing enough. That is increasing the pressure on Kane and Bellingham to create and score.'
Rice missed the Panama match due to fitness concerns but is expected to return against DR Congo. Carragher concluded: 'Others must step up now, or England will be coming home early.'
