Wayne Rooney urges Thomas Tuchel to drop surprise name against DR Congo
Wayne Rooney hopes Thomas Tuchel makes a shock call in England’s World Cup clash with DR Congo, dropping Elliot Anderson.
The Three Lions take on DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, with a spot in the last 16 on the line.
There are question marks over the team Tuchel will pick, with both wings not exactly nailed down and some doubt over who will play at centre-back.
Rooney also wants to see a chance in midfield, with Anderson dropped after starting the first three matches of the tournament.
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In his place, the Manchester United legend wants to see current Red Devils star Kobbie Mainoo brought into the midfield with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
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He feels Mainoo brings a quality that neither Rice or Bellingham can boast and can make the difference against a team likely to sit in and defend.
‘I personally would play him tomorrow because as good and as much quality as they’ve got, one of their qualities is not really playing in tight areas and Kobbie Mainoo can play in tight areas,’ Rooney said on the BBC. ‘That’s his biggest strength, I believe.
‘We’ve seen it against Man City int he FA Cup final, we’ve seen it against Liverpool, we’ve seen him score some goals in little tight areas around the penalty box.
‘Because we haven’t got [Phil] Foden there, we haven’t got Cole Palmer there. I think he’s one player that can play in tight areas and unlock a defence.
‘I’d play Declan Rice and leave Elliot Anderson out of the starting line-up. Even though he’s done brilliant.
‘You’ve got a squad for a reason, you’ve got a squad because when you come up against opposition that play in different ways, I think, as we have struggled in the last two games against teams who do play a low block, you need someone who has that little bit of ability to manipulate the ball in tight areas and then unlock the defence.’
Mainoo played in the pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica, but is yet to get on the field at the World Cup.
It would be a surprise if Tuchel put him in the starting XI on Wednesday, but as Rooney said, England struggled badly in previous games to create opportunities, especially against Ghana.
The England boss has confirmed Rice will start, after being rested in the win over Panama due to fitness and suspension concerns.
Asked if Rice will start, Tuchel did not hide anything, telling the BBC: ‘Yeah. Of course.
‘We always miss Declan [when he doesn’t play]. He is one of the best midfielders in connecting the deeper positions with the higher positions.
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‘He is a key player and super important.’
Djed Spence is expected to start at right-back after injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah, while Tuchel has big choices to make on both flanks.
Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka are competing on the right and Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon will start on the left.
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/wayne-rooney-urges-thomas-tuchel-drop-surprise-name-dr-congo-28990232/