Can England really win the World Cup with such an injury-prone and inexperienced defence?

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Then, though, there is the defence. If there was ever a perfect example of an England team lacking in balance - from attack to defence - this is it. The front end of thisEngland side is razor-sharp and, when on song, downright scary. And while the back end isn't quite a comedy, things are far less certain, with Tuchel's preferred quartet both light on tournament experience and, in some cases, susceptible to injury.

Every team, to be sure, has some weaknesses. England's, though, is more obvious than some of the other challengers, and it could prove to be their undoing.

The question for Tuchel, then, is one of balance. Previous England managers have so often been urged to take the handbrake off, and let the attacking players do the business. Tuchel's likely defence of Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly does not, however, seem to be one with the tournament nous to let the big guns work wonders in attack.

Indeed, a combination of legs that have felt too many minutes and brains that have not experienced enough tournament play might block England from a would-be magical summer.

来源于球掌门