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Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to make a bold decision by leaving out Declan Rice during the World Cup knockout stages. The former England midfielder believes the Three Lions must play with greater attacking intent to reach the same level as powerhouses like France and Argentina.

Scholes calls for a tactical rethink

Although England topped Group L with seven points, Scholes remains unconvinced by their overall performances under Tuchel. The side began their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia, followed by a goalless stalemate against Ghana and a laboured 2-0 victory over Panama. According to Scholes, England’s conservative midfield setup is preventing them from performing at the very top level needed to win the trophy.

Rice's contribution under question

Declan Rice missed the final group fixture against Panama because of a calf issue but is expected to return for the round of 32 meeting with DR Congo. However, Scholes has questioned whether the Arsenal midfielder brings enough attacking drive to benefit this version of the England side.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said, “England don’t need to play two holding midfielders in the next game. No disrespect to Congo, but in those matches you should use as many attacking players as possible. For me, it’s a straight choice between Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, and I’d just go with Anderson.”

The ex-United midfielder continued, “I think Anderson will move the ball forward a bit more. Look at Rice with Arsenal — he’s a superb player and a real leader, no doubt about that, and most times you’d want him in your team. But Arsenal didn’t exactly play brilliant football last season, did they? Rice struggled to get Martin Odegaard involved, and maybe that’s carried over into this England setup. I don’t think Anderson would have that same problem.”

Comparing England to World Cup favourites

Scholes offered a blunt evaluation of England’s current level, suggesting they remain some distance behind reigning champions Argentina and runners-up France. He expressed concern over the lack of rhythm and creativity England displayed during the group stage, warning that tougher challenges lie ahead in the knockout rounds.

“That wasn’t convincing, was it?” Scholes said about the Panama result. “Across all three matches, I haven’t seen a team that looks like it’ll win the World Cup. It hasn’t been great, though they are winning and could still improve. They’ve got match-winners, but they’re not yet at the level of France or Argentina.”

Differing views on the midfield core

While Scholes has championed Anderson’s inclusion — with the midfielder reportedly nearing a £116 million transfer to Manchester City — his former teammate Nicky Butt disagrees. Butt also believes Tuchel should avoid fielding two defensive midfielders, but insists that Rice must remain a fixture in the starting line-up.

Butt explained, “You can’t use two holding midfielders against teams that won’t see much of the ball. I’d definitely start Declan Rice in the next match and leave Elliot Anderson out. Anderson’s been brilliant, a top-class player, which is why Man City are paying £120 million for him, but you simply can’t drop Declan Rice. He’s one of those players you just don’t leave out.”