Kirkland Reveals Rice and Anderson Are Crucial to England's World Cup Success Hopes
The right-back position is crucial, and James' presence would provide a significant boost to England's backline. However, his injury history is a concern, and Kirkland believes that having a settled defensive unit is vital for success in the tournament. "You need a consistent back four, or at least a consistent back five, including the goalkeeper," he explains. "If you're chopping and changing, it's difficult to get that rhythm and understanding that you need to keep clean sheets."
Kirkland also highlights the importance of England's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, in organizing the defense and providing a sense of calm and authority. "Pickford is a top-class goalkeeper, and he's got to be the one who marshals the defense," he says. "He's got to be the one who's barking orders and making sure everyone is in the right position." With a solid defensive unit and a strong goalkeeper, Kirkland believes that England can build a foundation for success in the tournament.
The challenge for England, however, is to balance their defensive solidity with their attacking flair. Tuchel's side has a wealth of creative talent, and Kirkland is eager to see how they will be deployed in the tournament. "It's a great problem to have, having so many talented players," he says. "But it's about finding the right balance and the right system to get the best out of them." As England prepare to face Croatia, Kirkland is confident that they have the quality and depth to make a deep run in the tournament, but he knows that it will require a disciplined and focused approach.
As England prepares to face Croatia, the team's defensive solidity will be put to the test, and Kirkland believes that a consistent backline is crucial for success. The inclusion of John Stones, if selected, will be significant, but he needs to find his rhythm quickly. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa may also have to adapt rapidly to the demands of the tournament.
Kirkland emphasizes the importance of Jordan Pickford's presence in the team, not just for his goalkeeping skills but also for his leadership and ability to organize the defense. "You hope Reece James stays fit, you hope Pickford stays fit," he says. "We've got outstanding keepers, but Pickford has been brilliant for England."
The center-back position is another area of focus, with Kirkland hoping that the chosen players can remain fit throughout the tournament. "If John Stones plays, you hope he stays fit, Guehi as well, Konsa if he plays," he explains. "You don't want to be changing that defensive unit through the tournament if you can help it."
Kirkland also expresses his admiration for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who he believes would have been a valuable addition to the squad. "I watched Trent at Liverpool for many years, and people label him defensively, but the quality he brings on the ball is huge," he says. "His passing range, his set-pieces - that's what Liverpool missed last season."
The England squad's attacking talent is another area of discussion, with Kirkland highlighting the importance of players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Ivan Rogers. "Maguire is another one, he probably isn't starting, but he scores goals, and you can bring him on for set-pieces," he notes. "Luke Shaw as well - I would have taken him, he always plays well for England."
The appointment of Tuchel as England manager has brought a new dynamic to the team, with Kirkland believing that he is the right fit for a squad that needs to be driven to success. "I think he's the right man," Kirkland says. "Gareth was someone who had played the game, had been around England squads, and as a player, you want to be treated right. Tuchel, I think, is a little bit more ruthless, he's not afraid to make big calls."
Kirkland's experience working with Jordan Pickford at Preston has given him a unique insight into the goalkeeper's abilities, and he believes that Pickford remains underrated on the world stage. "He was outstanding," Kirkland recalls. "In training, in games - without him, Preston would have been rock bottom."
As for the upcoming match against Croatia, Kirkland has a clear idea of his preferred starting lineup. "My team is Pickford, Guehi, Konsa, James, Rice, and Anderson," he begins. Further forward, he wants to see Gordon, Rogers, and Kane involved, with the final shape depending on Saka's fitness and how Tuchel balances Rogers and Bellingham. "I would go Gordon, Rogers, Kane," Kirkland says. "You could put Rogers on the right."
Saka's been good, but he's not had a great end to the season, and I think he's carrying a knock as well.
"He might go Gordon on one side, Rogers on the other, and play Bellingham in behind Kane. I would probably go with that team to start with. But if it's only one out of Rogers and Bellingham, I'll go with Rogers."
It's an XI that feels like the Tuchel era in a nutshell: form over reputation, structure over indulgence, results over romance. Very un-English, some might say. Which, given the history of English tournament football, may not be the worst idea anyone has ever had.
But Croatia come first, and Croatia will ask the right sort of questions: Can England control spaces without becoming passive? Can Rice and Anderson give the back four protection without leaving Kane isolated? Can Tuchel's ruthless streak produce clarity rather than churn? And can England win a game against a good side in a way that may not flatter them?
The upcoming match against Croatia will be a crucial test of England's resolve and strategy, with the team's ability to balance defense and attack under scrutiny. Kirkland's preferred lineup suggests a focus on solidity and creativity, but the real challenge will be in executing this plan against a seasoned opponent. As the tournament progresses, England's players will need to adapt quickly to Tuchel's tactics and find a rhythm that works for the team. The next few games will be pivotal in determining England's chances of success, and the match against Croatia is just the beginning.
Kirkland also highlights the importance of England's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, in organizing the defense and providing a sense of calm and authority. "Pickford is a top-class goalkeeper, and he's got to be the one who marshals the defense," he says. "He's got to be the one who's barking orders and making sure everyone is in the right position." With a solid defensive unit and a strong goalkeeper, Kirkland believes that England can build a foundation for success in the tournament.
The challenge for England, however, is to balance their defensive solidity with their attacking flair. Tuchel's side has a wealth of creative talent, and Kirkland is eager to see how they will be deployed in the tournament. "It's a great problem to have, having so many talented players," he says. "But it's about finding the right balance and the right system to get the best out of them." As England prepare to face Croatia, Kirkland is confident that they have the quality and depth to make a deep run in the tournament, but he knows that it will require a disciplined and focused approach.
As England prepares to face Croatia, the team's defensive solidity will be put to the test, and Kirkland believes that a consistent backline is crucial for success. The inclusion of John Stones, if selected, will be significant, but he needs to find his rhythm quickly. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa may also have to adapt rapidly to the demands of the tournament.
Kirkland emphasizes the importance of Jordan Pickford's presence in the team, not just for his goalkeeping skills but also for his leadership and ability to organize the defense. "You hope Reece James stays fit, you hope Pickford stays fit," he says. "We've got outstanding keepers, but Pickford has been brilliant for England."
The center-back position is another area of focus, with Kirkland hoping that the chosen players can remain fit throughout the tournament. "If John Stones plays, you hope he stays fit, Guehi as well, Konsa if he plays," he explains. "You don't want to be changing that defensive unit through the tournament if you can help it."
Kirkland also expresses his admiration for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who he believes would have been a valuable addition to the squad. "I watched Trent at Liverpool for many years, and people label him defensively, but the quality he brings on the ball is huge," he says. "His passing range, his set-pieces - that's what Liverpool missed last season."
The England squad's attacking talent is another area of discussion, with Kirkland highlighting the importance of players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Ivan Rogers. "Maguire is another one, he probably isn't starting, but he scores goals, and you can bring him on for set-pieces," he notes. "Luke Shaw as well - I would have taken him, he always plays well for England."
The appointment of Tuchel as England manager has brought a new dynamic to the team, with Kirkland believing that he is the right fit for a squad that needs to be driven to success. "I think he's the right man," Kirkland says. "Gareth was someone who had played the game, had been around England squads, and as a player, you want to be treated right. Tuchel, I think, is a little bit more ruthless, he's not afraid to make big calls."
Kirkland's experience working with Jordan Pickford at Preston has given him a unique insight into the goalkeeper's abilities, and he believes that Pickford remains underrated on the world stage. "He was outstanding," Kirkland recalls. "In training, in games - without him, Preston would have been rock bottom."
As for the upcoming match against Croatia, Kirkland has a clear idea of his preferred starting lineup. "My team is Pickford, Guehi, Konsa, James, Rice, and Anderson," he begins. Further forward, he wants to see Gordon, Rogers, and Kane involved, with the final shape depending on Saka's fitness and how Tuchel balances Rogers and Bellingham. "I would go Gordon, Rogers, Kane," Kirkland says. "You could put Rogers on the right."
Saka's been good, but he's not had a great end to the season, and I think he's carrying a knock as well.
"He might go Gordon on one side, Rogers on the other, and play Bellingham in behind Kane. I would probably go with that team to start with. But if it's only one out of Rogers and Bellingham, I'll go with Rogers."
It's an XI that feels like the Tuchel era in a nutshell: form over reputation, structure over indulgence, results over romance. Very un-English, some might say. Which, given the history of English tournament football, may not be the worst idea anyone has ever had.
But Croatia come first, and Croatia will ask the right sort of questions: Can England control spaces without becoming passive? Can Rice and Anderson give the back four protection without leaving Kane isolated? Can Tuchel's ruthless streak produce clarity rather than churn? And can England win a game against a good side in a way that may not flatter them?
The upcoming match against Croatia will be a crucial test of England's resolve and strategy, with the team's ability to balance defense and attack under scrutiny. Kirkland's preferred lineup suggests a focus on solidity and creativity, but the real challenge will be in executing this plan against a seasoned opponent. As the tournament progresses, England's players will need to adapt quickly to Tuchel's tactics and find a rhythm that works for the team. The next few games will be pivotal in determining England's chances of success, and the match against Croatia is just the beginning.
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