Jamie Carragher tells Thomas Tuchel to change Arsenal star’s position against DR Congo

Jamie Carragher fears Thomas Tuchel will need to rejig his England midfield again in order to get the best out of his two matchwinners Harry Kane and Judge Bellingham.

The Three Lions ensured a safe passage through to the round of the last 32 as Group L winners following a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night.

Second half goals from Kane and Bellingham ultimately proved the difference but it was another performance that threw up as many questions as answers.

Tuchel made five changes to the team that started the 0-0 draw against Ghana, but the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers all failed to make a convincing case that they should be trusted to start against DR Congo this coming Wednesday.

Indeed, the presence of an extra attacking midfielder in Rogers appeared to complicate matters for Kane in particular who managed just one touch in the penalty area, albeit the header that settled the contest midway through the second half.

Declan Rice missed out against Panama with Tuchel opting to protect the Arsenal linchpin given concerns over his fitness.

The former West Ham star will almost certainly be back in the team againstDR Congo but Carragher believes he should operate in a deeper role that would allow England to utilise Kane’s playmaking abilities as well as his goalscoring prowess.

He told The Telegraph: ‘Kane had only one touch inside the penalty area in the first half against Panama. As much of a concern was how few touches he had outside of the area, too – just 10 in total. Against Ghana, he touched the ball just 20 times. That is limiting the impact of a multi-dimensional striker who is our most lethal weapon.

‘This demands a rethink before we play stronger opposition. Last night, the concern was Tuchel’s choice of two advanced midfielders, meaning Morgan Rogers and Bellingham sought possession in a zone similar to where Kane likes to operate.

‘At times, Nico O’Reilly was there, too. In previous games, Declan Rice was doing this.

‘One solution when Rice returns is to ask him to play deeper in a double pivot alongside Elliot Anderson.

‘Anderson was exposed against Panama, who were able to launch too many counter-attacks. Better opposition would have punished England.

‘If Rice drops deeper, it may enable Kane and Bellingham to link up more. That would need Tuchel to alter his initial plan of having a front five in possession, with wide triangles of a winger, full-back and advanced midfielder.

‘When Kane drops deep, there is more responsibility for the wingers to threaten more.

‘At Bayern Munich, Kane is blessed to have Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.

‘Tuchel has designed the team to facilitate quick, direct wingers, which is why he named so many in his squad.

‘Unfortunately, the wingers are having better games when they do not play. Marcus Rashford has been the brightest of the wide men so far, but generally they are not doing enough.

‘That is increasing the pressure on Kane and Bellingham to create and score. Others must step up now, or England will be coming home early.’

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