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A self-inflicted dilemma from the head coach has turned England’s World Cup campaign into a far tougher challenge than expected.

England’s build-up to today’s clash against DR Congo has been overshadowed by a right-back crisis — a scenario unimaginable just five years ago.

During much of his eight-year reign, former England boss Gareth Southgate had an embarrassment of riches in that position. It all began rather suddenly; after naming 32-year-old Glen Johnson in his first squad, Southgate soon found himself spoiled for choice.

Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Reece James, and Trent Alexander-Arnold formed the established order, while others such as Kyle Walker-Peters, Ben White, James Justin, Nathaniel Clyne, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles also featured. Even centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez filled in at times.

Jarell Quansah has now joined up with the England squad in Atlanta.

Thomas Tuchel would dearly love to have even half that luxury at his disposal today.

Before the Panama game, Tuchel and his staff were already exploring makeshift solutions at right-back. Following the 2-0 victory, they found themselves searching for replacements to those temporary fixes.

Tuchel, meticulous in assembling his 26-man squad with versatile players covering every role, now faces a full-blown right-back shortage in the knockout stages — where every error could spell elimination and an early flight home.

The trouble began just two days before England’s opening match against Croatia, when Tino Livramento was ruled out with a calf injury. That left Reece James as the only recognised right-back. Tuchel reacted by recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his holiday in New York’s Times Square, allowing centre-back Jarell Quansah to serve as a backup option on the right.

But after starting against Croatia and Ghana, James suffered yet another injury setback — a hamstring issue that arrived at the worst possible time. Both he and Quansah are unavailable for the DR Congo match, leaving England without a single fit right-back for their first knockout tie.

“You find solutions,” Tuchel said optimistically on the eve of the match. “Other players will step up and we will push this over the line.”

The most likely candidate is Ezri Konsa, who has featured more under Tuchel than any other player. However, his performances at centre-back during this World Cup have been inconsistent compared with his composed displays for Aston Villa. Tuchel may deploy Konsa at right-back — a position he has previously played for England — while restoring John Stones alongside Marc Guehi in central defence.

Djed Spence, naturally a left-sided defender, is another option. Right-footed but selected this summer primarily as left-back cover, Spence replaced Quansah during the Panama match after the latter limped off. He could again feature on the right, though questions remain over whether he can maintain positional discipline for a full 90 minutes in a must-win contest.

In the best-case scenario, this predicament — the kind that often arises in tournaments — should be temporary. Tuchel indicated that James and Quansah were both nearing full fitness, with Quansah slightly ahead in his recovery. There is hope one or both could return in time for the round of 16.

First, however, England must navigate their way there — without them.

When Chelsea secured Champions League glory under Tuchel in 2021, the German coach famously wore a pair of lucky shoes. Asked why he hadn’t brought them along this time, Tuchel replied, “It doesn’t fit the story. It would feel a bit artificial. I don’t see the connection.”