England’s Weakness Exposed by Injury—Here’s What Thomas Tuchel Should Do
England’s Weakness Exposed by Injury—Here’s What Thomas Tuchel Should Do
Preparations for the round of 32 clash with DR Congo are less than ideal for the Three Lions. Tom Gott|
England heads into its World Cup round of 32 clash with DR Congo as the heavy favorite, but if there is one weakness with the Three Lions right now, it’s at right back.
Usual starter Reece James is facing several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while primary deputy Jarell Quansah, formerly of Liverpool, is expected to be unavailable after twisting his ankle in Saturday’s 2–0 victory over Panama.
With Tino Livramento forced to withdraw through injury before the tournament had even begun and Trent Alexander-Arnold still left at home, manager Thomas Tuchel is braced for a conundrum at right back for Wednesday lunchtime’s meeting in Atlanta.
Seemingly, Tuchel has four options to fill the void.
4. Declan Rice
Declan Rice shook off his own injury scare to earn a spot on the bench against Panama, though little did he know that he was also adding his name to the bottom of the list of possible right back options.
Rice’s senior breakthrough at West Ham United came as a central defender and last season saw Mikel Arteta lean on his defensive qualities at Arsenal. Faced with a similar crisis when Jurriën Timber and Ben White were sidelined, the Spaniard deployed Rice for a time at right back and, wouldn’t you know, Mr. Reliable did well.
That said, Rice is far too important in midfield unless there’s no absolutely alternative. And with that not being the case, it’s unlikely he’ll be considered unless things get worse for England between now and kickoff.
3. Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has played every minute of England’s tournament so far as a starting center back, but he could be shifted out to the right if needed.
Much could depend on the fitness of John Stones, who started the first group game against Croatia before being sidelined with a minor injury that saw Tuchel pivot to a pairing of Konsa and Marc Guéhi. If Stones does return, he could partner Guéhi while Konsa fills in out wide.
“Yeah, for sure,” Tuchel said when asked if Stones could start against DR Congo. “Why not?”
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2. Trevoh Chalobah
When Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup, many assumed Tuchel would extend an invitation to Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold. He declined to do so, instead opting for a reunion with Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.
Chalobah, 26, has played in a number of positions in his senior career. He’s currently a center back, having come through the academy in that role, but his senior breakthrough actually came in midfield and his versatility has even extended to a number of appearances as a right back.
Tuchel did not mention right back when asked to explain Chalobah’s call-up, instead insisting it gave him the flexibility to make Quansah the primary deputy out wide. Now, the Chelsea defender may have to step into that role himself.
1. Djed Spence
Djed Spence is the only natural option available for Tuchel, who has pointed to the Tottenham Hotspur man’s ability to play on both sides of defense to justify his inclusion in the squad this summer.
Starting Spence is unlikely to be a difficult decision for Tuchel, but the England boss is going to have to start thinking about rotation if he is dreaming of a deep run this summer. Relying on Spence to play every available minute amid doubts over both James and Quansah could be catastrophic, especially considering he is already playing with a broken jaw.
If England can get the job done against DR Congo early, expect to see Spence protected with a trip back to the bench, at which point one of Tuchel’s alternatives will be given the chance to prove themselves.
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Published 4 minutes ago | Modified 4 minutes ago
TOM GOTTTom Gott is an associate editor for SI FC, having entered the world of soccer media in early 2018 following his graduation from Newcastle University. He specialises in all things Premier League, with a particular passion for academy soccer, and can usually be found rebuilding your favorite team on Football Manager.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
