Thomas Tuchel told to drop two England World Cup stars for Ghana clash

Chris Sutton has urged Thomas Tuchel to make two changes to his England starting lineup for their second World Cup match against Ghana.

England kick-started their World Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-2 win over 2018 runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists Croatia.

A brace from Harry Kane, as well as second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, saw the Three Lions lay down an early marker in the tournament against their toughest opponents in Group L.

Victory against Croatia means England already have one foot in the knockouts, but they will be keen to continue their momentum when they face Ghana on Tuesday.

Carlos Queiroz’s side sit second in Group L, although the Black Stars needed an injury-time winner from Caleb Yirenkyi to earn a scrappy 1-0 win against Panama.

And England know that victory against Ghana in Boston will all-but ensure that they finish winners of their group and face a third-place team in the round of 32.

As the Three Lions begin to ramp up preparation for Tuesday’s encounter, Tuchel will have to decide whether to stick or twist with his lineup after a largely encouraging display in their tournament opener.

Former Three Lions striker Chris Sutton wants the German tactician to tinker with his side, and believes Marc Guehi should return to the starting lineup in place of former Manchester City teammate John Stones.

‘Why is the debate Guehi for Konsa and not Stones?’ he told BBC Sport. ‘I’d have Guehi and Konsa because they are the best defenders.

‘Don’t get me wrong, John Stones has been a great player and I have huge respect for his career, but you are talking about a guy who doesn’t even have a club for next season yet.

‘I don’t think Stones has the athleticism which the other two possess.

‘It’s nothing against John, who has been a brilliant player. He’s got more composure on the ball, which he’s always had, but once England get out of the group, which they will, you will need your best defenders when you’re playing against the best attackers.

‘I think Konsa and Guehi have better attributes in terms of one-against-one situations than John Stones and there will be times in games when they will be isolated one-against-one against players of the highest class.’

And further forward, Sutton wonders whether Tuchel may look to rotate his options and start Rashford after his goal-scoring cameo off the bench against Croatia.

Rashford replaced Anthony Gordon with 20 minutes remaining after a quiet night for the new Barcelona winger, which saw him have just 17 touches of the ball and one shot on goal.

‘It’s going to be a squad game at the World Cup,’ Sutton added. ‘We could even have a debate about the other flank, where Noni Madueke started, with Tuchel managing Bukayo Saka’s minutes.

‘On the left, though, I’d go for Rashford. I think Gordon’s form suffered towards the end of the season. He didn’t play much for Newcastle and he just doesn’t seem quite up to speed.

‘This is not to say he won’t have a big part to play as the tournament goes on, but Rashford took his goal well and looked good. It’s close, but at the moment I’d go for Rashford. I think he deserves an opportunity.’

Rashford reportedly experienced some muscle discomfort after his substitute appearance and subsequently did not play in England’s practice game on Thursday against Sporting Kansas City, which featured the rest of the subs from the win over Croatia.

However, it is hoped that Rashford’s issue is no more than a minor niggle, with the Manchester United winger likely to undergo further checks as England ramp up their preparations for their clash with Ghana in Boston.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Declan Rice suggested he was ‘good as gold’ despite limping off midway through England’s first game, while Bukayo Saka is seemingly still not fully fit to start as he continues to deal with an Achilles issue.

England are bidding to win their first World Cup since 1966, having reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Sir Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions lost in the quarter-finals to eventual runners-up France in the last World Cup in 2022.

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