Neville: Drop Gordon for Rogers vs Panama
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- Gary Neville told Sky Sports that Morgan Rogers should start ahead of Anthony Gordon on the left wing against Panama, arguing Rogers offers more legs, invention and game intelligence to break down a deep block
- Neville also wants Nico O'Reilly recalled at left-back in place of Djed Spence, while keeping the rest of Thomas Tuchel's side unchanged after the goalless draw with Ghana
- England were held 0-0 by a Carlos Queiroz-organised Ghana side in Group L, failing to build on their 4-2 opening win over Croatia, with Neville noting Tuchel likely expected the low-block struggle
- Neville argued England may actually be better suited to facing higher-pressing opponents like they faced against Croatia, when their counter-attacking game flourished, than to breaking down a parked defence
- Declan Rice's fitness is a major worry, Neville said, noting the midfielder was substituted against Croatia at 3-2 and was seen with strapping after the Ghana game, making him alongside Pickford and Kane effectively irreplaceable
- Neville acknowledged the 'Cole Palmer should be here' conversation has begun and said Tuchel will face scrutiny over leaving Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White at home if creativity becomes an issue against tougher opponents
- Set pieces were singled out by Neville as England's most disappointing area against Ghana and as a likely focus in training before Panama, along with getting more crosses and bodies into the box
Why it matters: Neville's prescription for Panama — more invention on the left, a recalled O'Reilly, and renewed focus on set pieces — offers a concrete blueprint for how Tuchel might unlock low-block defences, a weakness that could decide England's knockout-stage fate. With Rice's fitness flagged as a concern and the Palmer/Gibbs-White omissions already drawing criticism, England's squad choices are under sharper scrutiny heading into the business end of the group.
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