Scholes urges Tuchel to bench Declan Rice for England knockout

Paul Scholes has urged Thomas Tuchel to bench Declan Rice as England enter the World Cup knockout stages, saying the side must adopt a more attacking midfield approach to catch up with the likes of France and Argentina. England topped Group L with seven points but produced mixed displays, winning 4-2 over Croatia, drawing 0-0 with Ghana and scraping a 2-0 win against Panama.

Rice missed the final group game against Panama with a calf issue and is widely expected to return for the round of 32 against DR Congo. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said: "England don’t need to play two sitting midfielders in the next game.

No disrespect to Congo but in those type of games you play as many attackers as possible. I think it has to be a straight shootout between Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, and I think I would just go with Anderson." He added: "I think he [Anderson] will pass it forward a bit more.

England

declan rice, thomas tuchel, paul scholes, elliot anderson, england, world cup, dr congo, attacking midfield, group l, panama