The report says the right side of England’s defence is still a major concern for Tuchel. That uncertainty carries greater weight in a knockout match, where one poor defensive transition can decide the tie.
England can control possession and still look vulnerable if the full-back position lacks clarity. Tuchel now has limited time to settle the role and define the protection offered by the midfield behind it.
Declan Rice was absent against Panama, and the report says England felt the difference despite the relatively comfortable scoreline. His influence extends beyond tackling: Rice helps connect defence to attack, covers wide areas and gives England a reliable outlet under pressure.
Without that balance, Tuchel may need to adjust the midfield structure rather than simply replace one player. The Congo match will test whether England can control the centre of the pitch when the stakes rise.
Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka started against Panama, giving each an important opportunity to strengthen his case. Yet the report says the performance did not end the debate over who had taken advantage.
That leaves Tuchel with a selection decision rather than a settled front three. Saka offers established threat from the right, while Rashford and Rogers provide different options in terms of running power, width and directness. The key issue is finding a combination that turns possession into consistent danger.
England have the group win, but the 2-0 result has not removed the pressure. Wednesday’s meeting with the Democratic Republic of the Congo should reveal whether Tuchel has used the extra preparation time to solve the structural problems or merely postpone them.