Carragher: Tuchel's right-back calls 'bizarre' before Mexico tie
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- Jamie Carragher slammed Tuchel's "bizarre decision" to call up Trevoh Chalobah as right-back cover for the injured Tino Livramento, arguing Chalobah "is not a right-back" and leaves England short at the position.
- Reece James and Jarell Quansah are injury doubts for Monday's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico at the Azteca, while Djed Spence failed to impress in the 2-1 last-32 win over DR Congo and Declan Rice finished that match at right-back.
- Carragher rejected the idea of playing Rice at right-back, pointing out that Elliot Anderson struggled to handle DR Congo's counter-attacks when Rice was absent from midfield against what Carragher called "moderate opposition."
- Carragher proposed moving Ezri Konsa to right-back and bringing John Stones into central defence alongside Marc Guehi, citing Stones' "top-level" pedigree despite his lack of recent minutes.
- Anthony Gordon came off the bench to provide both assists for Harry Kane's goals in the 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo, with Carragher noting that all four of Tuchel's wingers used so far "all look better when they don't play."
- Carragher flagged Bukayo Saka — whom he called the closest to "top international class" among England's wide players — as someone who "doesn't look fully fit," undermining Tuchel's preference for "out-and-out wingers who hug the touchline."
Why it matters: Tuchel faces a Monday selection dilemma at the Azteca with James and Quansah injured and only Spence, a makeshift option, available at right-back. Carragher's critique matters because it exposes how England's defensive depth — already flagged as the squad's weak area — is being compounded by squad-building choices, potentially forcing a key midfielder out of position in a knockout game.
