Wayne Rooney has openly questioned Thomas Tuchel's decision to include Chelsea duo Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah in England's World Cup squad, labelling the team's defensive options as his 'big worry' for the tournament. The former England captain expressed his concerns on The Wayne Rooney Show, pointing to James's persistent injury problems and the surprise selection of Chalobah as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento.
James's Injury Record Under Scrutiny
Reece James, who made the cut when Tuchel unveiled his 26-man party last month, played every minute of England's first two Group L matches against Croatia and Ghana. However, he was forced to miss the 2-0 victory over Panama due to a hamstring problem, the latest in a long line of injuries for the Chelsea captain in recent years. The 26-year-old right-back is also set to miss the round of 32 clash with DR Congo, and there are fears he may not be fit to return until the latter stages, should England progress.
Rooney, England's second-highest goalscorer in history, was blunt in his assessment. 'Reece James is a good player but we knew before the tournament that you cannot rely on him. He hasn't been reliable for the last two years,' he said. 'When you're a player who constantly gets injured, to go to a World Cup and have to rely on you for eight games in a short period of time, for Reece James, for me, going in, it was impossible he was going to be able to do that.'
'I didn't get why Tuchel didn't take him off in the first game and bring Kobbie Mainoo on, bring Spence on, and put him in midfield. He can't do it, he physically can't do it. And that's not me having a go at Reece James, that's just the reality that he can't do it,' Rooney added.
Chalobah Call-Up Questioned
Before England's campaign began, Tuchel lost Tino Livramento to injury, with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah called up as a replacement for the versatile Newcastle full-back. Rooney expressed surprise at the decision, noting that it added to defensive concerns. 'And the big surprise was Trevoh Chalobah getting brought in when Livramento went home. I just think having that balance with Luke Shaw or Lewis Hall…' he commented.
Rooney also highlighted the broader defensive fragility, mentioning John Stones as another player with an unreliable fitness record. 'You've got Reece James who you can't rely on, you've got John Stones who you can't rely on, Tino Livramento was injured before the tournament,' he said.
Defensive Line-Up Against DR Congo
With James sidelined, Tottenham's Djed Spence is expected to start at right-back in the round of 32 match against DR Congo at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The back-four is likely to feature Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Nico O'Reilly. Rooney expressed concerns about the defensive setup, particularly if Spence is forced to play. 'The concern with the last game, whether or not he does it tomorrow, is that if you've got Djed Spence there, you have to play him at right-back. I don't think Jarell Quansah worked,' he said.
When asked about the possibility of Declan Rice filling in as a makeshift right-back, Rooney bluntly replied: 'I hope not!'
Rooney's Faith in Kane and Bellingham
Despite his defensive worries, Rooney believes Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will be crucial if England are to end their 60-year wait for a World Cup trophy. 'If we win the tournament then it's because of them, more so Harry Kane from my point of view,' he explained. 'I think Jude is one of those players who lifts his team-mates, probably not even knowing he's doing it, in terms of desire and hunger.'
'Harry is the one who you're relying on with his goals. Jude will have big moments and he'll win us the game at some point, but Harry's goals will be the one thing, I think, which if we win the tournament then it will be because of Harry's goals. But there will be one game, it might be a semi-final, where it's tight and that's where Jude will go and take the game.'
England's World Cup Path
England face DR Congo in the round of 32, with a potential contest against co-hosts Mexico or Ecuador awaiting them in the round of 16. Should they advance further, the Three Lions could meet Brazil, the Ivory Coast, or Norway for a place in the quarter-finals. Rooney's comments underscore the pressure on Tuchel's defensive selections as England aim to progress deep into the tournament.
