Troy Deeney believes England will be "in trouble" if a player who starts against DR Congo in the last 32 holds his spot as Thomas Tuchel's side push deeper into the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions meet the African side in the round of 32, with lineup changes already taking shape. Noni Madueke is set to come in for Bukayo Saka, while Djed Spence is expected to start at right-back.
That defensive slot has been a problem area. Jarell Quansah started on the right in the final group game against Panama while covering for the injured Reece James, only for the Bayer Leverkusen defender to pick up an injury himself. That leaves Spence or centre-back Ezri Konsa as the realistic options for Tuchel.
Spence has featured on both flanks at the tournament so far. Deeney has been open about his concerns, saying he "can't stand" the Tottenham man as a defender even though he rates him going forward.
"I said what I said before — Djed Spence going forward is great, defensively he worries me," Deeney said. "Maybe in a game like today where he's not really going to be tested too much defensively, he can be him. Moving on in the tournament, I do worry. He's always the first to drop, and if he drops too much and plays someone on-side we're in trouble."
Deeney also weighed in on midfield debate after Wayne Rooney argued Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo should be in the starting XI. The former Watford striker was dismissive of that push.
"An ex-Man United player saying he wants a Man United player to play — couldn't make it up," Deeney said. "I think Kobbie Mainoo is a decent player. I think the hype is unnecessary at this moment in time. We haven't seen it for long enough periods to say he's a definite starter. He hasn't actually had a minute in this tournament."
Deeney agreed it was odd that Jordan Henderson was sent on ahead of Mainoo against Panama. Mainoo is not expected to start against DR Congo, and it remains unclear when he will get his first minutes at the finals.
The midfield trio of Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham and the returning Declan Rice looks difficult to break up. Anderson and Bellingham have been among England's strongest performers so far, and Rice's return from injury further tightens Tuchel's options in the middle of the park.
England's last-32 tie with DR Congo will test whether the reshuffled back line can hold when the stakes rise. For Deeney, the real question is not who starts on Wednesday — it is whether that same XI can survive the deeper rounds if defensive lapses creep in.
