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The crisis is coming to a head
England manager Thomas Tuchel expects Rhys James to be available for the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup quarter-final against Norway in the early hours of next Sunday.
Tuchel’s right-back crisis worsened after Jarel Quansah was red-carded in the 3-2 win over Mexico in the early hours of Monday, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen defender will be ruled out for England’s next match in the knockout stages in Miami.
James is yet to return to full training after picking up an injury in the second-round group stage match against Ghana, and has missed the matches against Panama, DR Congo and Mexico.
But hope is growing that the 26-year-old can alleviate England’s woes At right-back, returning to full training this week, according to BBC network.
After Quansah received a red card against Mexico in the 54th minute, Ezri Konsa, who started all of England’s matches at centre-back, finished the match at right-back.
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In the five matches, James, Jed Spence, Konsa, John Stones, Konsa and midfielder Declan Rice have featured at right-back at various times, while Tino Livramento picked up a calf injury in the build-up to the tournament.
Konsa and Spence remain Tuchel’s options, but James’ expected presence would be welcome news given the Chelsea captain is recognized as England’s first-choice right-back.
