Former England striker Alan Shearer has suggested Thomas Tuchel start Declan Rice at right back for their upcoming match.
The midfielder dropped into the back four in the latter stages of the Three Lions’ last 32 clash against DR Congo, as Tuchel committed to going more attacking.
It worked in England’s favour, as Harry Kane scored twice to send England through to the round of 16.
Shearer believes Rice can be the solution at right-back, given the injuries to Reece James and Jarrell Quansah.
“Putting Rice into right-back position worked as he is the one who got forward and played a part in the goal as well,” he told the BBC.
“He (Tuchel) has a decision to make as to whether he thinks about putting Declan Rice into a right-back position.
“If you’d asked me about that before the game, I’d have been very reluctant to have done that, but he adds quality in that position, and we’ve lacked that with the players he has picked up to now.”
Ex-Manchester City right-back Micah Richards felt it would be a mistake to remove Rice from midfield.
Alan Shearer suggested England could play Declan Rice at right-back
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“If you want to go with Rice at right-back, you lose his pace and power in midfield… He can give too much in the central midfield area,” he said.
“If you are going into the Mexico game, which is at altitude as well, you need his energy in midfield.
“I’d probably go with (Ezri) Konsa at right-back and put (John) Stones alongside (Marc) Guehi.”
Rice, who played the full contest for the Three Lions, was full of praise at full time for captain Kane.
Declan Rice filled in at right-back after Djed Spence was taken off
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REUTERS
Commenting on Kane scoring twice, he told the BBC: “He’s going to get chances.
“If you give him a chance it’s a goal, I think personally. I’ve seen it too many times.
“It’s ridiculous the goals he scores and how he scores them.
“His whole mentality around scoring, 72 for the season now, it’s just ridiculous, so credit to him.”
Declan Rice has been full of praise for his captain | REUTERS
The Three Lions will face Mexico in the next round, who have not conceded in the tournament so far.
Kane believes England need to continue finding a way to win games against sides that make it incredibly difficult to be broken down.
Speaking after the contest against DR Congo, he said: “From an attacking point of view, it’s the best performance so far. We are in the part of the tournament where we have to grind wins out.
“I just told the boys to enjoy it. Sometimes as an England player, you don’t celebrate how you should. The same as every other nation, we’re through – enjoy it. Over the 90 minutes, we’re tough to handle.”
