England's Right-Back Dilemma Ahead of World Cup Clash with Mexico
Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for a seismic World Cup night at the Azteca have been jolted by yet another blow to England’s already cursed right-hand side.
Djed Spence, expected to continue at right-back in the round of 16 clash with Mexico, is now a major doubt after picking up an injury, according to Sky Sports. It’s the latest twist in a position that has turned into a running problem for England before a ball is even kicked in the knockout phase.
Right-back roulette at the Azteca
Tino Livramento never made it to the tournament, forced to withdraw from the squad before England even arrived. Once the campaign started, the problems kept coming. Jarrel Quansah and Reece James both suffered setbacks, stripping Tuchel of his natural options on the right.
Now Spence has joined the list.
The timing could hardly be worse. Mexico’s left winger Julian Quinones has three goals to his name already and is central to the co-hosts’ hopes of extending their perfect run. Whoever Tuchel trusts on that flank will walk straight into a duel that could define the night.
With Spence unlikely to start, the picture shifts. Declan Rice is suddenly in line for an emergency outing at right-back, or Quansah could be thrown straight back in after returning to fitness. Neither solution is ideal. Both carry risk in a stadium that punishes hesitation.
Tuchel calm in public, questions in private
What makes the development more striking is that Tuchel gave no hint of trouble for Spence in his pre-match press conference. The Tottenham full-back trained with the group, and the England manager spoke as if his squad, James aside, was fully ready.
“Reece is maybe on the bench tomorrow, let’s see,” Tuchel told talkSPORT. “But everyone else is fully available.”
He expanded on the situation: “Jarell trained and is fully available. Reece can maybe make it on the bench, but we need a last assessment from the doctors and a medical opinion.”
Those words suggested a relatively straightforward selection puzzle. The late concern over Spence has changed the tone. Tuchel must now decide whether to disrupt his midfield by moving Rice, or trust Quansah to step into one of the most intimidating arenas in world football and deal with one of the form wingers of the tournament.
If Rice does drop into the back line, it opens the door in midfield. Jordan Henderson or Kobbie Mainoo could come in, with Rice vacating his usual partnership role alongside Elliot Anderson. If Quansah starts at right-back instead, Rice may stay where he is, anchoring the centre and trying to control a Mexico side that has grown bolder with every game.
A team that almost picks itself – almost
Beyond right-back, Tuchel’s choices are far more straightforward. Jordan Pickford, the undisputed No.1, will start in goal. Across the pitch, the core of his side is set: Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Anderson, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are all locked in.
The real arguments, beyond the defensive reshuffle, come in the wide attacking roles.
On the left, Anthony Gordon is pushing hard to dislodge Marcus Rashford. On the right, Noni Madueke’s place is under threat from Bukayo Saka, who offers a different kind of directness and end product in big games. These are the kind of selection dilemmas managers relish: form versus reputation, balance versus individual spark.
At right-back, there is no luxury of choice. Only compromise.
Mexico perfect, Azteca unforgiving
All of this unfolds against a brutal backdrop. Mexico have won all four of their World Cup matches so far and have yet to concede a goal. El Tri are not just riding a wave; they are defending a fortress.
Since the Azteca opened in 1966, Mexico have lost only two competitive matches there. The altitude, the noise, the history – it all piles onto visiting teams and squeezes their margin for error to almost nothing.
Tuchel knows exactly what his players are walking into.
“We know everything about the Mexican team. They are now in the top 10 in the world rankings. They have [had] some good results in the last matches. Not only now in the World Cup but especially since March where they played Belgium, Portugal. Top-tier nations.
“I think we are prepared. We saw the strengths. We [will] try to exploit weaknesses like always, but we are full of respect, but we also believe in us. We need to play the best version offensively and defensively that we showed until now in moments of every match. Tomorrow we will bring it together for a top performance that we need to achieve our goal to beat Mexico.”
The respect is clear. So is the intent.
Iconic stage, ruthless stakes
From the moment England landed in Mexico City, Tuchel has leaned into the occasion rather than playing it down.
“It's even nicer than I expected. It just catches you straight away. Once we landed here and saw the excitement and emotions. The commitment of people for the World Cup.
“I felt straight away that this will be a proper World Cup match tomorrow. We knew it before. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium. A massive knockout game against Mexico in the Azteca Stadium. It's an iconic match and a big stage and we feel it.
“We know about the situation. We spoke about it. We will take care of what needs to be taken care of and we need a strong performance and I think we will have one.”
The situation is simple enough. Win, and England fly to Atlanta to meet either five-time champions Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals. Lose, and they leave behind another chapter of frustration in a stadium that has haunted European sides for generations.
Somewhere in that cauldron, on that right flank, a patched-up solution will have to stand up to Quinones and the weight of 100,000 Mexican voices. If England are serious about going deep into this World Cup, this is the kind of problem they can no longer afford to let beat them.
