Thomas Tuchel considers Marc Guehi recall after England defensive errors
England manager Thomas Tuchel is considering a recall for centre-back Marc Guehi ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup clash against Ghana following a shaky defensive display in the opening game against Croatia in Dallas.
The Three Lions produced an electric attacking performance in their Group L opener to mask vulnerabilities at the back.
The starting partnership of John Stones and Ezri Konsa struggled against an intense Croatian high press, with both defenders making critical errors that directly contributed to the opposition’s two goals.
Pundits question defensive partnership
Stones notably went to ground before the opening goal, while his defensive partner misjudged a vital chipped pass in the build-up to the second.
Television pundit Gary Neville openly questioned whether the current pairing is capable of winning the tournament.
“Is Konsa and Stones a partnership that can win us the World Cup?”
The former Manchester United captain stressed that midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson will need to provide significantly more protection moving forward.
Statistical concerns raise alarm
Despite registering high passing accuracy by the final whistle, the underlying defensive metrics for the starting duo made for grim reading.
- Stones managed just one clearance and failed to complete a successful tackle during his 87 minutes on the pitch.
- Meanwhile, the Aston Villa representative won merely three of his eight ground duels and failed to record any interceptions.
Fellow analyst Jamie Carragher echoed the wider concerns regarding the national team’s overall defensive prospects in the competition.
“We probably lack something defensively to go all the way.”
Guehi waits in the wings
The potential reinstatement of Guehi to the starting line-up could provide the defensive solidity Tuchel desperately requires against the Black Stars.
The 25-year-old has elevated his game significantly since securing a January transfer from Crystal Palace to Manchester City.
The former Eagles captain seamlessly adapted to life at the Etihad Stadium, recently claiming his second consecutive FA Cup winners’ medal to underline his rapid development.
With his superior Premier League combative statistics, the recently crowned cup winner appears primed to stabilise an uncertain backline.
