England's starting XI for their crucial World Cup match against Panama has reportedly been leaked, with Thomas Tuchel making three huge changes. The Three Lions play their final group stage game tonight in New Jersey, with kick-off at 10pm UK time. England have booked their place in the knockout stages but must beat Panama to ensure they qualify as Group L winners, with Ghana taking on Croatia at the same time.
Fitness issues and changes
The build-up to the big game has been plagued by numerous fitness issues, with Reece James suffering a hamstring injury which could rule him out for the rest of the World Cup. First-choice midfield duo Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have been passed fit to play but are nursing injuries, while there are calls for Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke to be dropped after the lacklustre draw against Ghana.
Hours before kick-off, Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Tuchel has made three changes to his line-up from the last game. As expected, Nico O'Reilly will return to the starting XI, with Djed Spence moving over to right-back to replace the stricken James. Gordon will drop out to be replaced by Marcus Rashford, but Madueke keeps his spot in attack ahead of Bukayo Saka.
Mainoo replaces Rice in midfield
We predicted that Anderson would be rested, with Kobbie Mainoo coming in, and while Tuchel has selected the Manchester United youngster, it will be Arsenal's Rice who drops out. This change will please England legend Rio Ferdinand, who believes Mainoo is key to revitalising the Three Lions after the Ghana stalemate.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said: 'If we play Anderson and Rice in midfield, we're not a team that can control a game or do quick transitions through the pitch because I don't think that's their best assets.'
'They're great at retrieving the ball and stopping. We saw some great stuff, especially Anderson, in terms of turnovers and winning the ball back and then setting us off again. But being able to get the ball off the back line and transfer it through the team, precisely through the lines, into the more dangerous areas of the final third, those players, that's not their first call and their best attributes as players.'
'So, who do we have to do that? I thought, especially in the group stages, Kobbie Mainoo was one of the players who could come in and do that because his ability to beat the press first and then play or dribble through the press is better than Declan and Anderson because that's part of his game.'
Impact on England's World Cup campaign
England need to beat Panama to secure top spot in Group L and potentially avoid a tougher knockout opponent. With Ghana and Croatia also playing simultaneously, the result could significantly affect England's path in the tournament. The leaked line-up suggests Tuchel is prioritising ball progression and creativity in midfield, a move that could pay off against a Panama side expected to defend deep.
