England faces defensive woes ahead of World Cup quarter-final against Norway
England is facing defensive challenges ahead of their World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Norway on Saturday. Defender Marc Guehi is set to undergo an assessment on Friday to determine his fitness for the game. The Manchester City centre-back sustained a hamstring strain following England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last 16 at the Azteca Stadium.
While the injury is not considered severe, the presence of Erling Haaland for Norway means England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel is unlikely to take risks with his defenders’ fitness. Guehi remains hopeful of being involved, but his participation is in doubt if he cannot train with the squad on Friday.
Right-back options and injury concerns
The right-back position continues to be a significant concern for England. Reece James, the first-choice right-back, returned to training on Thursday after a hamstring injury. He is expected to be available for the match against Norway, provided he experiences no adverse effects from the session. However, he may not be able to play for the full 90 minutes, and there is a risk of a relapse if he plays.
Jarell Quansah, who started at right-back against Mexico, is suspended for two games following a red card in the round-of-16 tie. While England has not made a decision on appealing the red card, it is considered unlikely that FIFA’s disciplinary committee would overturn it at this stage. Djed Spence is also nursing a minor injury and missed some training sessions leading up to the last 16 match.
In light of these issues, Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa, who can also play at right-back, is a potential option. Konsa filled in at right wing-back during the Mexico match after England went down to 10 men. He described the mental and physical challenge of changing positions during the game, noting encouragement from teammate John Stones.
Another defensive option, Trevoh Chalobah, a Chelsea central defender who can also play at full-back, was called up to replace Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, who sustained a calf injury before the tournament began.
Midfield and defensive stability
Midfielder Declan Rice missed a second consecutive day of training due to a sickness bug. Rice has also been managing a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back, which has been exacerbated by his illness. England has implemented measures to prevent the spread of the bug within the squad.
Despite the defensive challenges, England’s performance in the second half against Mexico, playing with 10 men for 47 minutes, was notable. During this period, they conceded 0.01 non-penalty expected goals on target. However, the upcoming match against Norway and Haaland is anticipated to be a more significant test for the defense.
Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, who recently underwent surgery after breaking his arm during post-match celebrations following the Mexico win, has returned to the team’s hotel in Kansas City. Although ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, Henderson will remain with the squad due to his positive influence within the group. England held a training session on Thursday and is scheduled to fly to Miami on Friday for final preparations.
Source: bbc.com
