Thomas Tuchel has barely had the luxury of naming an unchanged team - even if he wanted to. This time, the England manager will have to make enforced changes with Jarell Quansah suspended and injury worries in his squad. Finding the right solution will be key because England face a really hard game against Norway if they want to reach their second semi-final in the last three World Cups.
Guehi Hamstring Concern
Marc Guehi felt a twinge in his hamstring after his heroic performance against Mexico and that is a major concern because he has been outstanding since coming into the starting XI from the second game onwards. Guehi will be desperate to play but you cannot take a risk and make it worse while England must find yet another solution at right back. I’m not sure they will risk Guehi.
Quansah has a two-game ban - that feels very harsh after US president Donald Trump’s intervention to get Folarin Balogun off the hook - and it seems likely that Djed Spence will come back in after coming on and doing well against Mexico. If you do have to make that change then John Stones was excellent against Mexico in the closing stages and his experience, calmness and quality on the ball will be key in a red-hot atmosphere in every sense. Stones and Konsa have the attributes of a good partnership while Reece James hopes to be back on the bench.
Rice Fitness and Midfield Options
My hunch is that Declan Rice will play after missing training this week. He has been suffering from lower back issues and it has also been reported that he has felt unwell. But Rice has battled his way through worse and it feels highly likely that he will be OK to keep his place in midfield. According to Ryan Taylor, Rice's neural pain isn't the main problem, though, as he's been ill this week and thought to have kept himself away from his team-mates. He has played through illness before but we don't truly know how much of an effect this has had upon him. Providing he is ready to play, he would obviously start alongside Elliot Anderson. If not, Jude Bellingham could drop in with Morgan Rogers starting at the No.10.
Attack and Gordon's Form
What do you do with Bukayo Saka? He provided an assist against Mexico but has not been at his best this tournament. However, he would still get my nod to start and Tuchel clearly likes him. Anthony Gordon was excellent against Mexico and has spoken so well this week about not making that game England’s World Cup final. Gordon also spoke about approaching the tournament in the right way, not losing focus on the game in front of them because they are too busy dreaming about winning the trophy. Tuchel likes players with character, players with strong mentality and Gordon has that in abundance while his display against Mexico was also the best of any winger in this tournament.
Defensive Dilemma and Burn's Haaland Record
Outside of that, Guehi will partner Ezri Konsa at centre-back if he is ready. If not, I could actually see Dan Burn stepping in instead of John Stones. Burn made a huge contribution from the bench against Norway, as did Stones, but I just feel he has a unique edge for this particular game because he has a good record against Erling Haaland. Haaland has scored just once in eight appearances against Burn's Newcastle and the towering defender has been on the pitch for just one Haaland goal (way back in August 2022). Burn would also pose a threat from set-pieces, too.
Djed Spence should start at right-back if Reece James isn't quite ready, then Nico O'Reilly keeps his place at left-back. In attack, Bukayo Saka keeps his place on the right, Anthony Gordon starts on the left and Bellingham feeds off captain Harry Kane.
Predicted Lineup and Key Factors
That is why I think England will go for experience and quality in the searing heat of Miami when you need players who are mature and able to control the game just as they did so well in that opening half an hour against Mexico. The quality of their control, maturity and maintaining possession to quieten the crowd and opposition down has not received enough praise. If they can do that again, they will beat Norway.
My predicted XI: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Burn, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
