Michael Owen believes Thomas Tuchel should consider 'one or two' changes to his England side for their World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The Three Lions are on the verge of reaching their first World Cup final in 60 years if they can get past the defending champions on Wednesday evening in Atlanta.
England's quarter-final performance
England were not at their best in the previous round, but battled past Norway courtesy of another brace from Jude Bellingham. Tuchel's side will now face Argentina, who beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra-time to keep alive their hopes of becoming just the third nation to win successive World Cups.
Former England striker Owen told Metro: 'I don't think either team have played to their potential throughout the tournament. Against Norway, we didn't play particularly well. In fact, Norway probably played better than us. So we're definitely going to have to find a better performance to win in the semi-final and to win the tournament.'
He added: 'But the same can be said for Argentina. I wouldn't say they've had a bye, but, on paper, they've made very hard work of an easy passage into the semi-finals. So two teams that will both think that they can win; it's pretty evenly poised.'
Tuchel's selection dilemma
England have been boosted with an almost fully fit squad, except for injured Jordan Henderson and suspended Jarell Quansah. Owen does not expect Tuchel to ring the changes but believes the German tactician should give Bukayo Saka the chance to impress from the start after his encouraging performance off the bench against Norway.
'I probably think he'd make one or two changes. It's been quite a settled team throughout the tournament. I don't think he's going to change much now,' Owen said. 'I think the right-wing position is where he should look to change. Both Saka and Madueke like to run at their defender and beat their man. Obviously, Saka is coming back from an injury and just building his way back into the tournament, but my inkling would be that Saka would start in this one. It feels too big a game to not have him starting.'
Reece James pushing for start
Reece James will also be pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Norway. Owen, a UK ambassador for Casino.org, sees the upside of taking a risk with the 26-year-old: 'When he's fit, Reece James is certainly one of the best right-backs in the world. When you look at world players in their position and say, right, is this player one of the best in the world in his position, then you would say that Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are, but Reece James is also in that category. So with that in mind, you'd have to consider starting him. It's not like he's been out for a month or two months. So if he's fit, then I would be tempted.'
Rivalry put aside
England and Argentina's bitter rivalry extends beyond football, but Owen believes Tuchel has no need to invoke those emotions. 'That rivalry is not irrelevant, but it's put to the side when it's a World Cup semi-final,' he insisted. 'If it was a friendly, we'd be saying, remember this and remember that and whatever, because you're trying to stoke something up. Whereas, forget rivalry, this is the World Cup semi-final and that is going to proceed or overtake anything in terms of importance. Thomas Tuchel was that bothered about what happened 50, 60 years ago either, to be honest. I can't imagine any of the team talk is going to be on the rivalry. He'll be saying we've got bigger fish to fry and a real chance to win the World Cup.'
Outlook for the final
A mouthwatering final against either Spain or France would await England if they emerge victorious, but Owen is under no illusion that it would be a tall order. 'I think as an English fan, we can definitely get to the final. I think we'd have more chance against Spain than France. But both of those teams would be favourites against us. I'm thinking we're going to get to the final and we're going to lose in the final. That's how I sort of see it. Of course, my heart says England, but my head says France are better than us; Spain are probably better than us.'
