Shearer demands Tuchel drop Rashford, Spence and Madueke for Mexico World Cup tie

Alan Shearer has publicly criticised Thomas Tuchel and called for the England manager to drop Djed Spence, Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke for Sunday’s World Cup Round of 16 tie against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.

England advanced from the Round of 32 with a 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday, but the performance drew widespread scrutiny. Shearer’s verdict was pointed: the wide players who started have consistently underperformed compared to those introduced from the bench, and Tuchel’s own substitutions have inadvertently underlined the problem.

“Whoever Tuchel has started on the wings haven’t affected the game the same way as the subs have,” Shearer said. “He switched those around, which tells you whatever he’s done hasn’t worked.”

Shearer’s preferred XI would see Ezri Konsa move to right back, John Stones slot into central defence alongside Marc Guehi, with Nico O’Reilly at left back. In attack, he wants Anthony Gordon — who made a decisive impact as a substitute against Congo — to replace Rashford, and Bukayo Saka to come in for Madueke on the right wing.

“Anthony Gordon more than played his part in both goals,” Shearer added. “When the manager puts you on as a sub, he’s asking you to go on and impact the game. And Anthony Gordon certainly did that. So I think he deserves to start.”

The task facing England is considerable. Mexico have won all four of their matches at the tournament without conceding a goal, and the Azteca — sitting at 2,240 metres above sea level — presents a formidable physical and atmospheric challenge, with more than 80,000 home supporters expected.

Mexico have lost just two competitive home games at the stadium since 1966, a record that has even prompted England defender Marc Guehi to acknowledge the hosts hold an advantage.

“We know they’re a good team and they’ve got the fans on their side, so it’ll be going into the cauldron,” Guehi said on Friday. “I’d say they’re kind of favourites. They’re at home and they know the environment a lot better. They haven’t conceded so far and have got a perfect record.”

Guehi was nonetheless upbeat about the occasion. “You come to these competitions to play against top teams, in top atmospheres. It’s a match we’re all looking forward to.”