Carragher rips Tuchel over 'bizarre' right-back call ahead of England's Mexico showdown

Jamie Carragher has laid into Thomas Tuchel for what he calls a self-inflicted right-back crisis that could cost England at the World Cup. The former Liverpool defender believes the England boss made a “bizarre decision” by calling up Trevoh Chalobah as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento, and says the squad was never properly balanced in that position from the start. With Reece James and Jarell Quansah major doubts for Monday’s round-of-16 clash against Mexico at the Azteca, Tuchel is scrambling for a solution after Djed Spence struggled in the 2–1 win over DR Congo in the last 32. Declan Rice finished that match at right-back, a move Carragher strongly opposes. “I wouldn’t start Declan Rice at right-back,” Carragher told News. “England have a slim chance of going all the way, but playing Rice there would leave you so empty in midfield. Elliot Anderson found it tough against moderate opposition when Rice wasn’t in there.” Instead, Carragher suggests shifting Ezri Konsa to right-back and pairing John Stones with Marc Guéhi in central defence, arguing that Stones brings top-level experience despite a lack of match fitness. “This all goes back to Tuchel’s decisions around the right-back area – it’s not been right from day one in the squad he picked. He chose two very injury-prone players, and then bringing in Chalobah, who isn’t a right-back, was bizarre. You’re leaving yourself short.” The wing positions are another headache. Anthony Gordon came off the bench to set up both of Harry Kane’s goals against DR Congo, while Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke started but failed to impress before making way for Gordon and Bukayo Saka. Carragher noted that none of the wide players have nailed down a spot. “They all look better when they don’t play. The guy on the pitch isn’t delivering, so you think, ‘Let’s put him in again.’ This will keep going until the tournament ends. Bukayo Saka is probably the only one with top international class, but he doesn’t look fully fit.”