Thomas Tuchel has been urged to make two bold changes to his England starting XI ahead of the World Cup clash with Ghana, with Anthony Gordon and John Stones both coming under scrutiny after the dramatic 4-2 win over Croatia.
England opened their Group L campaign with victory, but the performance was far from perfect. Tuchel’s side showed attacking power, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford all playing important roles, yet defensive questions and tactical balance quickly became major talking points.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has reportedly called for Tuchel to rethink his team selection before the Ghana match, suggesting that Gordon and Stones should be left out of the starting line-up.
The Gordon debate comes after England’s left-sided attacking balance was questioned. While the Newcastle winger brings speed and direct running, some pundits believe Tuchel may need a different profile against Ghana — a side expected to be physical, aggressive and dangerous on transitions.
Stones’ situation is even more intriguing. The Manchester City defender has long been seen as one of England’s most composed players in possession, but the Croatia game raised concerns over defensive sharpness and positioning. England conceded twice, and critics believe Tuchel must decide whether reputation or current form should guide his selection.
The timing of the debate is significant. Ghana enter the match with confidence after beating Panama, and another win would put huge pressure on England in the race to control Group L. Tuchel knows that one selection mistake could change the tone of England’s tournament.
At the same time, the England boss must be careful not to overreact. His team still scored four goals, showed strong character after difficult moments, and responded well to pressure in the second half.
That is what makes the decision so fascinating.
Should Tuchel reward the team that delivered the opening win, or act ruthlessly before problems become bigger? With England chasing their first World Cup title since 1966, every call now feels enormous.
The Ghana clash may reveal just how ruthless Tuchel is prepared to be.
