James to miss Panama match
England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed his full-back selection strategy following confirmation that Reece James will not participate in Saturday’s World Cup match against Panama. James, a right-back for Chelsea, was assessed by England medical staff after experiencing a hamstring issue during Tuesday’s goalless draw against Ghana. He has not traveled with the squad to New Jersey for the final Group L fixture, which is scheduled for Saturday at 22:00 BST.
While Tuchel expressed confidence that James could still feature in England’s last-32 match next week, reports indicate that his participation in the knockout stages remains uncertain. England has already secured a place in the next round, even if they finish third in their group. The absence of James, combined with a calf injury that led to Tino Livramento returning home from the United States, has raised questions regarding Tuchel’s decision to bring only three recognized full-backs to the tournament.
The initial selection of full-backs included Djed Spence, James, and Livramento. Nico O’Reilly, who played left-back for Manchester City last season, is also part of the squad, though he developed as a midfielder. Dan Burn, primarily a centre-back, has also played at left-back. Alternative options for right-back include Spence and central defenders Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa.
Tuchel confident in squad depth
Despite the injury concerns, Tuchel affirmed his satisfaction with the available options at right-back. He stated, “I selected the team, so I’m very happy with everything with the characteristic of the players and strengths that they give us.” He acknowledged the challenge of player availability in a tournament setting, adding, “We would love to have every single key player, we would love to have them available, it’s not available – we find solutions, it’s what we do. It’s a tournament, we move on.”
Tuchel remains optimistic about James’s return to play during the World Cup. He confirmed that James is dealing with a minor hamstring issue and has been undergoing an accelerated rehabilitation program. The manager believes James will be available later in the tournament. James was observed following an individual program during Friday’s training session in Kansas City, rather than joining his teammates on the pitch.
In more positive news for the England squad, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Elliot Anderson are all expected to be available for the match against Panama. Rice, who had strapping on his left calf after the Ghana game and missed Thursday’s training, returned to the session on Friday. Anderson, who also missed Thursday’s training due to a glute issue, was present on Friday. Saka, who has been managing a long-term Achilles tendinitis complaint, is reportedly ready to start after coming off the bench in the initial two matches.
Panama’s preparations and squad changes
Meanwhile, Panama‘s training session on Friday saw an incident where two players, Cecilio Waterman and Jose Luis Rodriguez, had to be separated after a physical altercation. Panama coach Thomas Christiansen, however, viewed this as a positive sign, indicating the team’s competitive spirit. He commented that such situations suggest the team is “alive” and that players are eager to secure a spot in the starting eleven for the upcoming game.
Other teams are also preparing for their upcoming matches. Norway‘s coach Solbakken has made 10 changes to their lineup, with Erling Haaland benched, suggesting a focus on resting starters for future games. France, facing Norway, has made four changes to their starting team, with assistant coach Guy Stephan stepping in for Didier Deschamps. Portugal‘s coach Roberto Martinez stated his team has been preparing for their match against Colombia since March, including 13 training sessions in Miami to adapt to the weather and pitch conditions.
Japan is also readying to face Brazil in the last 32, with defender Yukinari Sugawara emphasizing the need for the team to be united and give their utmost effort. Coach Hajime Moriyasu believes the match will further motivate his players. Defender Shogo Taniguchi highlighted the do-or-die nature of the knockout stages, urging the team to elevate their performance. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win against a strong opponent if they execute their strategy effectively. England can secure the top spot in Group L with a victory over Panama.
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Source: bbc.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
