Alan Shearer thinks only four England players were “positives” following Thomas Tuchel’s team’s 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday night.
In their last World Cup group match,England defeat Panama to secure the top position and a more straightforward path to the final.
Having defeated Croatia 4-2 in their first game, the Three Lions faced a 0-0 draw with Ghana, leaving them needing to perform well against Panama.
Tuchel’Initially, the team had difficulty overcoming Panama, similar to their challenge against Ghana, but they managed to find a way through in the second half, largely due to Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham scored from a corner to put England ahead 1-0, then set up Harry Kane for a second goal, which made the striker England’s top World Cup scorer.
Nevertheless, Shearer was able to identify only four players as “positive” for England as he considered a possible match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
“If it’s going to be the Democratic Republic of Congo, then I suppose they will play the same way as Ghana and Panama did today, being defensive and trying to counter-attack England, and that’s when you depend more on players making that moment of brilliance to get you out of a tough situation,” Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The good news today was definitely Kane scoring a goal. Bellingham also found the net and provided an assist. I thought Elliot Anderson in midfield was outstanding.
I believed Marc Guehi occasionally utilized his speed effectively when England found themselves in a couple of difficult situations.
And that is what they will need to focus on, as the more they progress, if they continue to have the opportunities they currently possess, they will face consequences.
England also faces challenges in defense due to few viable right-back choices, but Shearer has clarified that his “concern” is focused on John Stones.
“we have not yet seen if he will regret those choices,” shearer added regarding tuchel’s team selections.
READ MORE: Jude Bellingham establishes the benchmark that England needs to swiftly achieve
We will only find out when we face stronger opposition. Suddenly, he loses Tino Livramento, Reece James, and then Jarell Quansah, whom he signed as a right-back. Now he has had to bring in Djed Spence.
He still has choices in that area, he can field Spence, he can use Konsa in the right-back role and bring John Stones into the central defense.
But I’m worried about John; if he hasn’t played the last two games, is he dealing with an injury as well?
But those are all issues for tomorrow. Tonight, they have secured their place in the group, won the match, and hopefully they will carry some assurance and self-belief from this into the future.
jasdooit 
Leave a comment