Is Rice the solution to England's right-back problem?
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- England beat DR Congo 2-1 to reach the World Cup last 16, but the win exposed a right-back crisis: five different players — Reece James, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, and Ezri Konsa — have been used there across four games, with James and Quansah now injured.
- Declan Rice moved to right-back in the 70th minute after Spence was withdrawn for Eberechi Eze, and his driving run into the box created England's equalising goal.
- Djed Spence lost possession 17 times against DR Congo — the most by any England player in the game, per Opta — and was dragged out of position for Brian Cipenga's opener before being subbed off.
- Thomas Tuchel said the idea to move Rice wide came from assistant Anthony Barry, telling ITV the switch gave England "outswingers" and better connection with Bukayo Saka and Eze on the right.
- Gary Neville noted Rice had briefly played right-back for Arsenal at West Ham before Mikel Arteta shifted him back to midfield because Arsenal "lost" his qualities centrally.
- Tuchel now faces a trade-off: with Rice rested against Panama, England fielded Elliot Anderson alone in the holding role and were cut through in transition — a vulnerability Mexico, ranked 35 places above Panama and 32 above DR Congo, will look to exploit Monday at the Azteca Stadium.
Why it matters: Tuchel must choose between two verified weaknesses: an injury-ravaged right-back corps (James and Quansah out, Spence turning it over 17 times) and a midfield that was carved open by Panama when Rice sat out. With Mexico — ranked 35 places higher than Panama and 32 higher than DR Congo — awaiting in the last 16, the trade-off carries genuine knockout-stage risk.
