Reece James will miss England's match against Panama on Saturday because of a minor hamstring problem, a setback that arrives just as England FC try to secure the top line in Group L and protect a key right-back for the knockout rounds. Thomas Tuchel said the Chelsea defender did not train and has not travelled with the squad to New York for the game at MetLife Stadium.
James has started England's first two World Cup matches and has 26 appearances for his country, which is why the change matters now. England sit top of the group on goal difference, one better than Ghana, and are almost guaranteed to reach the knockout stage regardless of Saturday's result, but the timing leaves Tuchel managing minutes instead of simply picking his strongest side.
The England manager said James was in an accelerated rehabilitation programme and that he strongly believes he will be available for the tournament. He also said it can be a tight one and would not rule out the possibility of James missing the round of 32 game, likely to be played in Atlanta on Wednesday if England qualify. That is the part that keeps the story open: the injury is minor, but the calendar is not.
England are already coping with a second full-back problem after Tino Livramento went home last week with a calf injury, and Tuchel has been forced to map out alternatives. He said Djed Spence is the leading specialist right-back in the squad, while Jarell Quansah can play there, Trevoh Chalobah's call-up freed Quansah to move out wide, and Ezri Konsa has also filled in at right-back. Reece James is one of the few players who has started both group games and, with England's margin for error shrinking in tournament football, his recovery now shapes more than one lineup.
Elliot Anderson is also a doubt for the Panama match because of muscle soreness after starting England's first two World Cup matches in midfield and playing 163 minutes against Croatia and Ghana. Anderson made his international debut in September, and his own situation adds another layer of uncertainty to a team that is already looking ahead to the next step. For England FC, Saturday is less about Panama than about whether James can be kept in reserve long enough to matter when the games become unforgiving.
The Athletic
