ALAN SHEARER believes Thomas Tuchel will make at least FOUR changes to his England side for their showdown with Panama on Saturday.
The Three Lions contest their final Group L game before the knockout stages at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Thomas Tuchel has a job on his hands to pick England up after a flat draw Credit: PA
Alan Shearer does not believe Tuchel will be afraid to shuffle his pack Credit: Shutterstock
But, Tuchel’s men are coming off a very disappointing 0-0 draw with which has somewhat sapped the optimism of their 4-2 opening win over .
on ‘s left-flank and both men were eventually replaced.
Speaking to Betfair , England and Newcastle legend Shearer believes Tuchel will inject something different into his England team next time out.
Shearer said: “They have got points to prove now as England players; they’re going to face something very similar against .
“My guess is Tuchel will change three or four from that started on Tuesday.
“I think Tuchel will look back and question everything that went on in that second game.
“But the one surprise I thought was in the left-back situation because for as much praise as he got for the changes and substitutions he made in the Croatia game and was really positive, I thought there was a slightly negative affect in trying to counter-attack what they did rather than concentrating on what England can do and that’s what I think he’ll look back and reflect on.
“But I don’t see him going with the same again on Saturday, no.”
The centre-back pairing is another interesting situation. started with against Croatia, but Marc Guehi was brought in for Stones against Ghana.
is yet to start a game at this World Cup amid concerns over an Achilles injury, but Shearer thinks that is also about to change.
Shearer said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if he brought Stones back in for Konsa so he and Guehi can have a chance of playing together.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he brought Nico O’Reilly back in at left-back and changed the two wingers from Gordon and Madueke to Saka and Rashford. That would be a guess of mine of what he might do.
“They’ve got to play with more tempo and pace to their game. When you’ve got that low block and I don’t care who you’re playing against, if they get that many men behind the ball and they’re really well organised it’s tough to break down.
“But you have to be brave, and you have to put balls into the box when you get the opportunity you have to take it, and I thought too many times they were really poor in that situation.”
England currently top Group L and a win on Saturday would assure them the easier route in the knockout rounds – on paper.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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