Gary Neville has claimed that Thomas Tuchel copied a 'wrong' Mikel Arteta decision by deploying Declan Rice at right-back for England during their World Cup clash with DR Congo. The Arsenal midfielder was shifted to the right side of defence in the closing stages of England's 2-1 victory on Wednesday, a move Neville initially criticised when Arteta used it at club level.
Neville's warning over England's right-back crisis
Speaking to ITV, Neville admitted he was 'crying out' for Tuchel to use Rice as a stop-gap solution, but warned the ongoing issue could 'cost' England. 'He went to right-back for Arsenal in a game at West Ham I watched a few months ago and I thought it was the wrong decision by Mikel Arteta at the time, but I was actually crying out for it in the second half to put him there,' Neville said.
Reece James has missed England's wins over Panama and DR Congo due to a hamstring injury and did not train fully on Friday. Jarell Quansah may also be unavailable because of an ankle problem. England face Mexico in the last-16 on Monday at 1am, with Tuchel facing a selection headache.
Neville compares current situation to his own tournament experience
Neville drew parallels with England's 2006 World Cup campaign, when he was injured in the first game and Jamie Carragher and David Beckham filled in at right-back. 'It's not the first time. I can think of three or four tournaments I went to where the full-back position in general was disrespected,' he said. 'It's a position you think you can fudge and get away with. It's actually costing England in games right now. It's a problem defensively and a problem going forward.'
Neville also criticised Tuchel's squad management: 'We knew before we got there that we had two injury prone right-backs. [Tino] Livramento goes out then he brings [Trevoh] Chalobah in… bring a right-back in. We've played four matches and so far we've played five right-backs, which tells you he's all over the place in that position. At some point it will cost us.'
Rice admits right-back is not his strength
After the DR Congo win, Rice admitted he would not relish starting at right-back against Mexico. 'I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but to do anything for the team and the manager,' Rice said. 'Twelve minutes left I said I would do my best and I think I did well there. Let's see what happens next game, but hopefully I don't have to be at right-back.'
