Danny Murphy insists England are ‘in a good place’ heading into the World Cup knockout stages but their chances of victory are likely to hinge on one player.
The Three Lions were far from their best again last night and required to second half goals from Jude Bellgingham and Harry Kane to earn an ultimately comfortable 2-0 win over Panama.
Having progressed as group winners, Tuchel’s men will now face DR Congo in the round of the last 32, before a potential quarter-final against co-hosts Mexico.
England will doubtless need to improve as the tournament progresses if they are to fulfil their objective of ending a 60-year wait for their men’s team to win a major trophy, but Murphy is confident they are on the right track.
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‘I think it’s hard judging the group games because of the level of opposition that you play and the different styles,’ he told the BBC.
‘I think it will suit us against the better teams when there’s more space with our dynamic players. There’s not that much to improve, I think sometimes in the final third against packed defences we need a bit more quality and speed in the play.
‘But if you’re going to play on the front foot which Tuchel wants us to do then you are occasionally going to get caught on the break, you are going to concede some chances so I quite like where England are at.
‘Maybe a little problem at right-back depending on how long Reece James takes to get back but I quite like where England are.’
With Bellingham and Kane both in goalscoring form, England can boast two genuine matchwinners and Murphy feels it is the skipper who proved England with a genuine chance of going all the way.
He said: ‘Two outstanding players for me, Bellingham over the last couple of tournaments has been our best player. They are big game players and so often take responsiblity.
‘Bellingham was playing in a different role today but it doesn’t matter, he’s got that confidence and belief in himself. He makes big moments and he makes magic happen and he’s a wonderful talent.
‘Kane, we expect him to score every time he plays and he more or less does and that’s why he’s the captain and the greatest goalscorers we’ve ever had and that’s why we’ve got a chance of winning the World Cup.’
Murphy did, however, have a word of warning for Tuchel and his squad having watched firsthand how DR Congo frustrated Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the competition, securing a 1-1 draw.
‘It’s not as dangerous as Senegal, I think they’ve got more quality forward players,’ he added.
‘The expectation of the nation can effect players we’ve seen that at previous tournaments.
‘I think we’ll have too much for them but we’ve got to be careful they’ve got some talented players. They are defensively well organised, Portugal struggled to create chances against them.’