Former England defender Jamie Carragher has advised England manager Thomas Tuchel to be cautious with some of his key players as the Three Lions prepare to face Ghana in an important Group L match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
England will take on the Black Stars after beginning their tournament with an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia. Another win would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage, but Carragher believes Tuchel must carefully manage his squad to avoid losing important players through injury.
The former Liverpool captain shared his thoughts on the fitness of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, two players who have been dealing with fitness concerns ahead of the match.
While Carragher believes Rice should continue to play despite some recent discomfort, he feels England should be more careful when it comes to Saka’s return.
England Looking to Build on Strong Start
England made a positive start to their World Cup campaign with a convincing win over Croatia.
Although Croatia caused a few problems during the game, the Three Lions showed their attacking strength and eventually secured a comfortable victory.
Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net.
The performance increased confidence among England supporters and strengthened belief that the team can go far in the tournament.
However, major international competitions can quickly become difficult if injuries begin to affect important players.
That is why Carragher believes Tuchel must think carefully about his team selection against Ghana.
Rice Concern After Croatia Match
One of the talking points following England’s victory over Croatia was the condition of Declan Rice.
The midfielder was replaced in the 72nd minute, leading some supporters to worry that he may have picked up an injury.
Rice has since explained that he is dealing with a hamstring issue that he has been managing for some time.
Despite the concern, the Arsenal midfielder has made it clear that he remains available for selection and is ready to play against Ghana.
Carragher believes the substitution was simply a precaution rather than a sign of a serious injury.
Because of that, he sees no reason for Rice to be rested in such an important World Cup match.
Carragher Says Rice Must Play
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher explained why he believes Rice should remain in the starting line-up.
According to the former defender, the World Cup is not the time to rest players unless qualification has already been secured.
“You don’t rest when you’re at the World Cup. If England win vs. Ghana, maybe you can do that in the third game, if you’re guaranteed top spot. I don’t think you’re in a situation where you rest Declan Rice,” he said.
Carragher’s comments reflect how important Rice has become for England over the past few years.
The midfielder is one of the first names on the team sheet and plays a major role in both attack and defence.
His ability to win the ball, protect the back line, and help England control possession makes him one of the team’s most valuable players.
For that reason, Carragher believes Tuchel should continue to trust him against Ghana.
Rice’s Importance to England
Rice has been one of England’s most consistent performers in recent years.
He played in all eight of England’s qualifying matches and has remained a key figure in midfield.
Alongside Elliot Anderson, Rice provides balance and stability in the centre of the pitch.
His presence allows more attacking players to move forward with confidence, knowing there is protection behind them.
Many of England’s strongest performances have come when Rice has been controlling the midfield.
His leadership, experience, and work rate have made him a vital member of the squad.
That is why Carragher feels England would be weaker without him against Ghana.
With so much at stake, he believes Rice should start if he is fit enough to play.
Greater Caution Needed With Saka
While Carragher was confident about Rice’s situation, he took a different view regarding Bukayo Saka.
The Arsenal winger did not start England’s opening match, raising questions about his fitness.
Saka has dealt with injury problems in recent seasons, and England’s medical team has been careful with his recovery.
Carragher suggested that Saka’s absence from the starting line-up against Croatia may indicate that his issue is more serious than Rice’s.
“The fact Saka didn’t start the first game means his injury is probably a little more serious than Rice’s,” he noted.
Because of that, Carragher believes England must avoid rushing him back too quickly.
Protecting Saka for the Rest of the Tournament
Saka is widely regarded as one of England’s most dangerous attacking players.
His speed, creativity, and ability to score goals make him a major threat to any defence.
However, Carragher believes England should think about the long-term picture rather than focusing only on one match.
The former defender warned that pushing Saka too hard could risk losing him for the remainder of the competition.
“I don’t think you risk him, because you don’t want to lose him for the tournament. But the longer the tournament goes on without him starting a game, it’s very difficult to expect him to come in for the knockout games and be at his absolute best,” Carragher said.
His comments highlight the difficult decision facing Tuchel.
On one hand, England want Saka fully fit for the knockout rounds. On the other hand, he also needs playing time to build rhythm and sharpness.
Finding the right balance will be one of Tuchel’s biggest challenges.
Madueke Could Keep His Place
With Saka not fully fit, Noni Madueke is expected to remain in the starting line-up against Ghana.
Madueke performed well in England’s opening game and gave Tuchel another option in attack.
The winger’s pace and direct running helped create problems for Croatia throughout the match.
His performance may have strengthened his chances of keeping his place in the team.
Tuchel will likely weigh up the benefits of continuity against the desire to bring Saka back into the side.
For now, Madueke appears to be the favourite to start.
Other Selection Decisions for Tuchel
The England manager still has several other decisions to make before the game.
Defence remains one area where changes could be considered.
Tuchel must decide whether to continue with John Stones and the current defensive setup or make adjustments.
Anthony Gordon’s position in attack is another area that could be reviewed.
The manager will want to choose a team capable of matching Ghana’s physical strength while also maintaining England’s attacking threat.
Every decision becomes more important during a World Cup, where a single result can have a major impact on a team’s future in the tournament. Continue to More Sports.
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