Alan Shearer believes Thomas Tuchel should now start Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford as England prepare to face already-eliminated Panama in their final Group L match on Saturday, with victory expected to secure first place and calm criticism that followed the 0-0 draw with Ghana.
England sit top of Group L after a 4-2 win over Croatia and that stalemate with Ghana, and Shearer argues this is the moment for Tuchel to refresh the attack, reward impact substitutes, and restore intensity before the World Cup knockout rounds begin.
In a BBC Sport column, Shearer set England’s situation in a wider World Cup pattern, writing: “Since 2006, every World Cup winner has dropped points in their first or second group gamebut what they have also done each time is go on to win their group. I am confident England will do that too… but I would not be surprised if Thomas Tuchel makes three or even four changes to his team after such a disappointing result and performance.”
Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke started both matches on the wings, yet Shearer now argues Saka and Rashford deserve promotion, especially after combining for Rashford’s goal against Croatia and influencing play from the bench versus Ghana while Saka continues to build sharpness following injury.
Shearer feels the biggest selection issue concerns the wide positions, outlining that Gordon and Madueke did not run at defenders often enough against Ghana, delivered poor crosses that rarely cleared the first marker, and contributed to open-play service that almost disappeared despite England’s dominance of the ball.
On the right flank, Shearer expects Saka to start if fully fit, with Rashford operating from the left, and wants both to attack one-on-one situations with greater energy, attempt to beat markers more often, and look forward earlier instead of recycling possession sideways or backwards when England face another compact defensive block.
England’s attacking struggle against Ghana came despite heavy control of possession, highlighted when Opta reported:
England World Cup statistics and Thomas Tuchel tactical approach
England have recorded at least 60% of the ball in 14 of those 16 Tuchel games, yet Shearer stresses that control must now convert into more risk, quicker passing and sharper movement, especially against low blocks like Ghana’s and Panama’s, where patience needs to be matched by penetration in the final third.
The numbers around England’s group-stage form and prospects highlight an encouraging position despite criticism, and can be summarised as follows:
| Statistic | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Possession vs Ghana | 78.8% | Highest recorded in a World Cup match without scoring since 1966 |
| Average possession under Tuchel | 70.2% | Across 16 matches in all competitions |
| Games with 60%+ possession | 14 of 16 | Reflects consistent territorial dominance |
| Third group game record | W8 D5 L1 | Across last 14 World Cup tournaments |
| Chance to top Group L | 81.7% | Opta supercomputer projection |
| Chance to win World Cup | 9.1% | Fourth favourites overall |
England have lost their final group match in only one of the past 14 World Cup campaigns, a 1-0 defeat by Belgium in 2018, and Opta’s model gives an 81.7% probability they finish top of Group L plus a 9.1% chance they lift the trophy, ranking Tuchel’s team fourth favourites.
Panama, meanwhile, have already been eliminated after two defeats and will finish bottom because of head-to-head rules, yet Shearer expects the same front-foot style from them, saying: “They are only playing for pride now, but I don’t think that will change their identity as a team.”
England are therefore likely to face a similar scenario to the Ghana match, seeing most of the ball against a deep defence, and Shearer argues that success will require both personnel changes and a mindset shift, with more urgency, quicker circulation and greater willingness to attempt passes through congestion.
Harry Kane’s involvement also came under focus, with Opta reporting:
Shearer believes England still belong among the tournament’s strongest sides, explaining: “I think about the teams that have impressed me, then the United States are up there along with France, Argentina and Spainand England are part of that excitement too,” before pointing to Spain’s draw with Cape Verde and France’s poor first half against Senegal as reminders that other contenders have also dropped levels.
Shearer stresses that there is improvement needed and tougher tests ahead in the knockouts, yet notes England remain top of Group L, well placed to win it, and could gain momentum if Tuchel’s expected changes, including starting Saka and Rashford, bring the direct attacking edge that has been missing.