Thomas Tuchel picks Konsa over Guehi for Boston match

England head coach Thomas Tuchel left Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa in the starting line‑up against Ghana in Boston, dropping Manchester City centre‑back Marc Guehi, confirming a direct competition between the two for the defensive partnership with John Stones after a 1‑0 win over Croatia in Dallas.

England's opening World Cup win against Croatia in Dallas showcased an attacking style that excited fans but left Tuchel with defensive questions.

Konsa has started ten of England's fifteen games under Tuchel, while Guehi has started only seven, highlighting the manager's preference.

Tuchel was in charge at Chelsea when the twenty‑five‑year‑old Guehi was sold to Crystal Palace in July 2021, a move that preceded his limited England appearances.

John Stones, aged thirty‑two, started just five Premier League games last season before leaving Manchester City, yet retains his place alongside Konsa.

Former England striker Chris Sutton told , "Why is the debate around Guehi for Konsa - and not for Stones? I would have Guehi and Konsa because they are the best defenders. Don't get me wrong, I have huge respect for Stones' career, but you are talking about a guy who doesn't even have a club for next season yet. Konsa and Guehi have better attributes in one‑against‑one situations than Stones."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said, "This was an England team that played to their strengths for the first time in a long time, instead of defending their weaknesses. I like it. Six months ago it was Guehi and one other player, but Stones has got the trust of the manager. He is one of his leaders on the pitch. I don't have an issue with who Tuchel picks."