They may be more of an infamous five than a famous five. Reece James, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa are the quintet to play at right-back in this World Cup for England.
Four games, five right-backs, perhaps only one of them with a genuinely preferred position of right-back…
And given that Tino Livramento was in the original squad and Ben White might have been but for injury, there could have been still others.
But if Thomas Tuchel needs a sixth right-back of the World Cup for the upcoming trip to Mexico’s Azteca Stadium, who should he choose?
Allow me to present the options…
(In no particular order)
Harry Kane: Anything England ask of him, the captain obliges.
Dan Burn: Technically not a right-back, but largely unoccupied during the matches before he reverts to bringing the vibes to the England camp.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: England-born right-back who has played well in an England game in this World Cup. Democratic Republic of Congo international.
Matty Cash: England-born Europa League-winning right-back, and more recently than Spence. Poland international.
Sir Alf Ramsey: Former England right-back (and World Cup-winning manager, eh Thomas…) who has proven he can irritate Mexicans during a World Cup, largely by trying to import industrial quantities of tinned and canned British food in 1970.
Philipp Lahm: World Cup-winning captain who was deemed one of the world’s best right-backs for a decade. Would be perfect were he not retired. And German.
Bob Crompton: One of England’s finest right-backs, admired for his professionalism and consistent excellence. The ideal solution, had he not died 85 years ago.
Keir Starmer: Veteran full-back who has been criticised for paying insufficient attention to defence but who will soon have plenty more time to concentrate on football.
Kemi Badenoch: Operates some way to the right of Starmer and thinks she can do a better job than him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Don’t be ridiculous.
So there we have it. Plenty of good options available, Mr Tuchel.
