I still have one concern over Thomas Tuchel’s England

Perhaps the most damning indictment of England’s defensive decline came via a throwaway line from Thomas Tuchel in the run-up to Thursday’s unflattering 2-1 win over Croatia. “Right now, it’s Jarell and one other,” Tuchel said, when questioned over who would be his defensive picks for the Croatia clash. Quansah is an excellent player in his own right, but to have him as Tuchel’s only certain central starter is worrying indeed. To caveat the pessimism, England’s two first-choice centre-backs, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, are injured. However, they are hardly fit to be mentioned in the same bracket as many of the golden generation of yesteryear. Guehi has been one of the most error-prone Premier League defenders this term, so much so he is rapidly becoming a vastly unpopular figure among Manchester City supporters struggling to comprehend the decline their team are currently going through. Konsa has been a key figure for Arsenal as they bed in with their attritional, impenetrable approach to defending their Premier League title. But if William Saliba is fully fit, Konsa would not be getting a game. In England’s defensive halcyon days at the turn of the century, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were arguably the best two centre-backs in the world. England do not have enough depth in defence (Photo: Getty) Elite-level central options, regular starters at some of the biggest clubs in the world – Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate – could not get a look in.Even longer ago, Manchester United captain Steve Bruce never played for England, such was the plethora of other world class options ahead of him in the queue. To then revere Quansah so highly speaks volumes, especially when he hardly impressed on Harry Kane’s special night at Wembley. England were cruising after all-time appearance holder Kane played his part in England’s scrappy opener, against a Croatia side who are a shadow of their peak recent years. From such a comfortable position, Quansah’s unfathomable decision to try and head a bouncing loose ball back to Jordan Pickford from a Croatia corner led to a gift of an equaliser. Further slack defending gave the visitors more opportunities to completely turn the match on its head, which the Croatia of yesteryear would have lapped up. England instead edged home via Kane’s penalty, but they still did their best to ruin the skipper’s grand occasion with concerning rearguard action. Read more England: The Harry Kane ‘Ballon d’Or moment’ that unlocked Croatia Pete Hall: The six England players Thomas Tuchel needs to give a chance Having only conceded once in four games from their double headers against Czech Republic and Croatia, there is no need to hit the panic button just yet. Yet the near-empty talent pool leaves Tuchel with his hands tied. The loss of John Stones to international retirement is a bitter blow that could take years to rectify. Tuchel does not trust Jarred Brathwaite in his system, Dan Burn has his limits, while Guehi’s form remains a real concern. Konsa is key, but he needs quality alongside him if England are to succeed.For all Quansah’s myriad abilities, he cannot be the name Tuchel pins his defensive masterplan on.