Alan Shearer has called on Thomas Tuchel to make three or even four changes for England’s World Cup clash with Panama on Saturday, insisting Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have “done enough” off the bench to earn starting places. The former England captain’s demand comes after a sluggish 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday that left the Three Lions’ last-32 spot unconfirmed.
“I am confident England will do that too, by beating Panama on Saturday, but I would not be surprised if Thomas Tuchel makes three or even four changes to his team after such a disappointing result and performance,” Shearer wrote in his BBC Sport column.
“Alan Shearer says England must start Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford to beat Panama after a disappointing Ghana draw.”
The criticism was sharpest for England’s wingers. Shearer said Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke “weren’t positive enough” against Ghana, adding: “By that I mean they didn’t attack their defender enough when we got the ball out to them out wide. Their crossing was really poor as well, and often it didn’t beat the first man. Our delivery from set-pieces was not great either, but in open play the service from the wingers was pretty much non-existent.”
Saka’s fitness, Shearer suggested, is the only reason he has not started either of England’s first two group games. “If he’s ready this time then he would come in on the right, with Rashford on the left,” Shearer wrote. “What I want to see from both of them is more energy and to be more direct in one against one situations by trying to go past players. There also needs to be more forward passing rather than taking the easy option by going sideways or backwards.”
Shearer also backed Nico O’Reilly to return at left-back after Djed Spence started against Ghana. “We just seemed to lose a bit of creativity and quality going forward down the left-hand side without O’Reilly and we posed more of a threat in a 15-minute spell after he came on than we did in the rest of the game,” he said. “O’Reilly got in some great positions, offered more on the ball and was also very unlucky when his header hit the bar.”
At centre-back, Shearer said he “could understand” if Tuchel brought John Stones back in for Ezri Konsa. The former striker pointed to defensive lapses that could have cost England: “In the two real attacks that Ghana had when they managed to get forward, one could have seen them win a penalty and the other one could have ended with Jordan Pickford getting a red card. We got away with it both times, but Tuchel has changed things in his defence and there is no doubt that there is some uncertainty back there.”
England face Panama in their final Group L game needing a win to confirm progression. Since 2006, every World Cup winner has dropped points in their first or second group game – but each went on to win their group. Shearer is confident England will follow that pattern, but only if Tuchel acts on his advice.