Thomas Tuchel is making a couple of notable changes to England’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway. One is forced by suspension. The other is purely a manager’s gut call on the wing.
Right back Jarell Quansah is out after picking up a red card against Mexico in the Round of 16. That ban runs for two games, so Tuchel had to get creative. He could have gone with Djed Spence, but Spence has looked shaky this tournament. Instead, Tuchel is sliding John Stones into that right back spot. Stones is a center back by trade, sure. But after a decade under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he’s played everywhere from fullback to defensive midfield. The guy knows how to read the game from multiple angles. He’s also currently a free agent, which is its own weird subplot.
The other change is on the right wing. Bukayo Saka gets the hook and Noni Madueke gets the start. That swap isn’t a shock — Tuchel has ping-ponged between the two Arsenal wingers all tournament. What’s interesting is that now the entire right side of England’s shape is new. Stones at right back, Madueke ahead of him. That’s a lot of unfamiliar chemistry to trust in a knockout game.
Otherwise, the rest of the XI is the same group that started against Mexico in Mexico City. Jordan Pickford stays in goal. The center backs are Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, with Nico O’Reilly holding down the left back spot. In midfield, it’s Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Jude Bellingham. Anthony Gordon starts on the left wing, and Harry Kane leads the line up front with Madueke on the right.
Norway has looked dangerous in this tournament, so England can’t afford a slow start. The back line has a new look, the right side has a new feel, and Tuchel is betting that experience and flexibility will outweigh any lack of reps together.
Kickoff is Tuesday. We’ll see if the gambles pay off.
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