Gary Neville has advised England manager Thomas Tuchel to bench Anthony Gordon and Djed Spence for the team’s upcoming 2026 World Cup group stage finale against Panama. While England sits at the top of their group after a 4-2 win against Croatia and a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana, they have yet to officially clinch a spot in the Round of 32.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Manchester United defender argued that England needs a more tactical approach on the left flank. He proposed that Morgan Rogers should replace Gordon, citing a need for improved link-up play and creativity against Panama’s likely defensive formation. Neville noted that while Gordon is a talented athlete, the team requires more nuance when facing opponents who play with a low block.
Regarding the defense, Neville advocated for the return of Nico O’Reilly, suggesting he would be a better fit alongside Rogers on the left side compared to Djed Spence. England only requires a single point from their match against Panama to guarantee advancement to the next stage of the tournament.
