Tuchel facing crucial choices: Rashford and Guehi in dilemma before Ghana
By OnzeActu · · 3 min read
After a promising entry but with gray areas in defense against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel must decide if he keeps his current defense with Ezri Konsa or if he gives Marc Guehi a chance. On the left flank of the attack, Rashford returns to competition with Gordon as the match against Ghana approaches.
England opened their victory counter in the World Cup with a spectacular match against Croatia in Dallas (4-2). If the attack was able to ignite the public, coach Thomas Tuchel is faced with questions to explore before joining Boston, where the team will face Ghana on Tuesday. The choice of Aston Villa central defender Ezri Konsa, preferred to Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, notably raised questions. In attack, the succession on the left flank between the decisive entry into play of Marcus Rashford and the starting start of Anthony Gordon remains a major point.
Despite the enthusiasm, the England defense showed signs of weakness, notably when Jordan Pickford had to make a crucial save against Igor Matanovic when the score was 3-2. Rashford, who came on to replace Gordon, scored the last goal to reassure everyone. The major dilemma therefore remains the central pair, with John Stones confirmed, and the expected clash between Konsa and Guehi to accompany it.
Since Tuchel's arrival at the helm of the Three Lions, Konsa has been a mainstay with ten starts in fifteen games, ranking behind Pickford and Harry Kane in terms of appearances. Guehi took part in only seven matches. Remember that Tuchel was at Chelsea when he decided to let Guehi leave for Crystal Palace in 2021. If Konsa had a delicate moment during the second Croatian goal, the coach appreciates his physical and technical qualities which allowed him to keep his place.
The experienced Stones (32), often preferred despite reduced playing time in the Premier League last season, remains undisputed in Tuchel's mind. Former England striker Chris Sutton, however, offers another option: align Konsa and Guehi together in central defense, avoiding starting Stones. According to him, both players have better one-on-one ability and better physical fitness, crucial assets against the high-level attackers that the English will face in the rest of the World Cup.
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Paul Robinson, former England goalkeeper and analyst for BBC Radio 5 Live, believes that Tuchel can afford to adjust his squad because he benefits from a very solid group. He emphasizes that the nervousness seen was not due to individual errors but to a lack of collective cohesion, which will be reinforced in training. Robinson also emphasizes the coach's confidence in Stones, who remains a leader on the pitch.
On the offensive field, the competition between Rashford and Gordon promises to be intense. Rashford scored points with a remarkable entry against Croatia, after shining in a friendly against New Zealand, while Gordon had imposed himself since the start of the preparation, notably with a converted penalty against Costa Rica. The situation is all the more closely monitored as Rashford played on loan at FC Barcelona this season, who also invested a significant sum to recruit Gordon from Newcastle, although the latter played little at the end of the season.
Sutton leans towards Rashford in this struggle on the left, believing that Gordon's form has declined recently and that at this stage Rashford deserves more game time, particularly for his attacking contribution and his goal in the World Cup.
When facing Ghana, Thomas Tuchel therefore has crucial choices to make both in defense and attack, with the aim of advancing England towards the final stages of the 2026 World Cup.