England’s Right-Back Dilemma: Waddle Advocates for Henderson

England are into the World Cup knockout rounds, but they arrive in Mexico City with a problem that just won’t go away.

Thomas Tuchel has a right‑back crisis on the eve of a last‑16 tie against a Mexico side who have been flawless so far – three wins from three, no goals conceded, and a nation ready to roar at the Mexico City Stadium in the small hours of Monday morning (1am UK time).

The stakes are obvious. The solution, less so.

Injuries, Omissions and a Selection Headache

The chain of events has been brutal for Tuchel.

Tino Livramento was ruled out before England had even kicked a ball in North America. Reece James, long tagged as the natural heir on that flank but dogged by fitness issues, then broke down. Jarell Quansah followed him onto the treatment table once the tournament began.

Djed Spence, the latest to be handed the shirt, started the nervy 2-1 win over DR Congo in the round of 32 – a game England escaped thanks to two late strikes from captain Harry Kane. Now Spence is a doubt as well, according to reports.

That injury list throws an even harsher light on Tuchel’s most contentious call: leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold at home.

The Real Madrid full-back, one of the most gifted passers of his generation, did not make the plane. For many, that decision looked reckless. For Chris Waddle, it was justified.

Waddle: No Regrets Over Trent – But a Different Liverpool Answer

Waddle, a key figure in England’s run to the semi-finals at Italia ’90, believes Tuchel was right not to gamble on Alexander-Arnold’s body.

“Alexander-Arnold played 30 games last season and didn’t complete enough games – so no, I wouldn't say that it was a mistake to leave him behind,” he said. “If you are going to pick him, you pick him for his quality and what he gives you, then that's fine – I understand that.”

His concern lies elsewhere. With the decision to load up on right-backs whose fitness records are, at best, fragile.

“We knew Reece James is – unfortunately, he's a top player – but he's always injured, as is Tino Livramento,” Waddle pointed out. “So looking at the squad straight away, you had to put a question mark over their injuries. They are injured a lot, unfortunately, and the one thing you want when you go to a tournament is a healthy squad. You've got to have players who are fit.

“When you look at the injury records of Livramento and James, they do miss a lot of football matches. So maybe taking two right-backs who are constantly injured was a risk, and the manager should have probably looked at that. As players, their quality is undeniable – they're very good players and I like them, but their track record of being injured was a red alert for me.”

So where does that leave Tuchel now?

For Waddle, the answer lies in another Liverpool old boy. Not Alexander-Arnold, but Jordan Henderson.

“Play Henderson at Right-Back”

Waddle’s argument is simple: England dominate the ball against most opponents. They don’t face waves of pressure until the very top tier arrive.

“But listen, with the way we play, we dominate football matches,” he said. “It’s not until we play France, Spain, or Argentina – someone of that quality – where you're going to be under real pressure. Against the teams we are playing now, he could play Jordan Henderson at right-back.

“Tell me who has got a great winger or who plays on the front foot against England? It’s all counter-attacking, so you may as well have a passer of the ball back there. There's no reason Jordan Henderson can't play at right-back.”

Henderson has barely featured at this World Cup – just six minutes so far. Throwing the veteran into an unfamiliar role against a Mexico side in full flow would be a bold move. Maybe even a shock.

But Tuchel has already flirted with the idea of a midfielder at full-back. Declan Rice shifted to right-back during the win over DR Congo, another hint that the England head coach is prepared to improvise rather than call up a specialist.

Rice, Eze, Anderson – and a Different England Midfield

Waddle would take that idea even further.

“If you look at the rest of the squad, I know he has played Jarrel Quansah there, but why not play a midfield player there?” he said. “Play Declan Rice there and put a creative midfield player in the centre instead. Put Eberechi Eze alongside Elliot Anderson, and say to them, 'look, I want you to pass. If you see a 30-, 40-, or 50-yard pass, I want you to hit it'. That is how we're going to score more goals and get the wingers into the game.

“Because at the minute, you've got two midfield players who are exactly the same, and it’s all 10-yard passes. By the time the ball shuffles out to the wing, it’s too late. You want somebody in the middle of the park who's brave, who wants to get on the ball and distribute it long-range.”

The message is clear: England’s structure, not just their personnel, needs a jolt. A right-back who can pass. A midfield that dares to break lines early and often.

Which is why Waddle keeps coming back to Henderson.

“Personally, I'd put Jordan Henderson at right-back,” he said. “He's good on the ball and he's economical. He doesn't have to fly on the overlap or bomb forward. We just want somebody who can play as a right-back, get the ball, control it, and pass it, because I've not seen any team go full throttle at England yet.”

Mexico Await – and Tuchel Must Roll the Dice

Mexico will test that theory. They may not boast the star power of France or Argentina, but they have rhythm, confidence and home advantage. They also have a perfect record and a defence yet to be breached.

England arrive with Kane dragging them through tight games, a back line patched together, and a manager facing the first major selection storm of his World Cup reign.

Does Tuchel trust a makeshift defender like Henderson? Push Rice wide and unleash more creativity in the middle? Or stick with a more orthodox option if Spence somehow proves his fitness?

The round of 16 rarely forgives hesitation. One way or another, Tuchel’s call at right-back will echo far beyond a single night in Mexico City.