Thomas Tuchel told expected key change to England team against Panama is not the answer

Simon Jordan believes Marcus Rashford is better served as an impact substitute for England rather than a starter.

talkSPORT understands Rashford is under consideration to start for the Three Lions ahead of Anthony Gordon against Panama on Saturday.

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Gordon has been entrusted with the left-wing role for England’s first two World Cup games.

However, Gordon is yet to convince and was hauled off at the 65-minute mark during England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana.

Despite Rashford’s blistering pace and composure in front of goal, evidenced by his late strike in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, Jordan is reluctant to anoint the 28-year-old as the ‘answer’ to the Three Lions’ attacking woes.

Jordan explains why Rashford as a starter is not the ‘answer’

“Well I just don’t remember the last time Rashford started a game for England and was particularly impactive,” Jordan said on Friday’s edition of White and Jordan.

“It’s always the way, whatever you haven’t got is what you cry out for when you don’t get the outcomes you want.”

Jordan added England struggled against Ghana in the final third due to their inability to ‘fizz the ball around’, allowing the African side to comfortably set up shop at the back and keep the game in front of them.

One player who the former Crystal Palace owner was full of praise for was Bukayo Saka, who is expected to start against Panama.

“He’s a clever player, he creates outcomes and the numbers he throws out are quite staggering when he’s on the field,” Jordan said.

As for Rashford, Jordan believes we see the best version of the forward only when there is ‘consequnce’ involved.

“I think Rashford comes on as an impact player,” Jordan said.

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“If you’re playing the last 20 minutes when Rashford comes on with a wild hare up his backside because he hasn’t been in the squad, he’s been replaced by Anthony Gordon at Barcelona and England, and wants to play, which is the Rashford we’ve got now.

“Tragically for a boy of his talent, he’s a consequence player. Every time he does something that gets him consequence, he responds to it.

“He doesn’t play well for a season, the England team need him available for the next World Cup, he has a good season. He goes away, gets himself into trouble by not turning up to a training session, gets a consequence. The next three games, he plays very well.

“I don’t think Rashford starting is the answer.”

How Panama’s game plan could play into England’s hands

Regardless of who starts for England, Jordan is acutely aware Panama could cause some trouble.

Thomas Tuchel’s side go into the game with finishing first in Group L in their hands.

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However, they are at risk of being bumped down to second should they fail to beat Panama and either Ghana or Croatia win their respective tie.

“Interestingly, I watched the Panamanians.

“These are not a bad side, they’re quite a dynamic side. I thought the first 20, 30 minutes against Croatia was quite exciting.

“I think Panama will come into this game thinking, ‘We’re out so we’ve got nothing to lose, what’s the point of a low block, we can have a go at England’.

“It might suit England, you might see England come out of this game with quite a handy win.”