Alan Shearer has told Thomas Tuchel to drop Djed Spence, Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke for Sunday's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico — and insisted the England players will have no fear of the Azteca Stadium's daunting conditions.
Speaking to Betfair, the former England captain urged Tuchel to bring in John Stones, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka after what he called a misfiring performance in the 2-1 win over DR Congo. “I don’t think the wide men worked against DR Congo,” Shearer said. “Whoever Tuchel has started on the wings haven’t affected the game the same way as the subs have… whatever he’s done hasn’t worked.”
“Alan Shearer tells Thomas Tuchel to drop three players for England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico at the Azteca.”
Gordon, who scored after coming off the bench against Congo, should start, Shearer argued: “When the manager puts you on as a sub, he’s asking you to go on and impact the game. And Anthony Gordon certainly did that.”
The fixture itself is a test of nerve as much as skill. England travel to the iconic Azteca, 2,240 metres above sea level, where Mexico have lost only two competitive games since 1966. More than 80,000 fans are expected, the vast majority backing the co-hosts. “The crowd could be as much as 80% of their fans, which is very different to anything England have faced at this tournament so far,” Shearer wrote for BBC Sport. But he dismissed any suggestion of fear. “All the talk stops when they run out anyway, and if they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win.”
England’s squad were booed as they arrived at their hotel in Mexico City on Friday, and Ecuador earlier reported being kept awake by car horns and fireworks. Shearer said he would not be surprised if similar disruption targeted England the night before the match. “It’s annoying but you have to accept it and get on with it,” he added.
Defender Marc Guehi, quoted on Friday, acknowledged the scale of the challenge: “We know they’re a good team and they’ve got the fans on their side, so it’ll be going into the cauldron. I’d say they’re kind of favourites.”
Shearer, who will co-commentate with Guy Mowbray, recalled watching the 1986 World Cup at the Azteca as a teenager and said this tie was precisely the kind of moment players dream of. “I would say to them to embrace it and enjoy it — be positive and show us all what you can do,” he wrote. The confusion over the kick-off time, which was brought forward from its original slot, only added to the noise. Shearer called the change a “silly idea” that would disrupt thousands of travelling fans.
England now face a side that has won all four of its tournament matches without conceding a goal. Shearer’s verdict is blunt: Tuchel’s selection must change, and the players must embrace the heat.