Return of 'world-class shield' Rice will give Tuchel and England reassurance

[Getty Images] Thomas Tuchel started the World Cup with Ezri Konsa and John Stones as his favoured central defensive pairing against Croatia, but has switched to Konsa and Marc Guehi in the past two games. Stones only started five Premier League games last season before leaving Manchester City . Is he now out in the cold? Or is Tuchel saving this outstanding and classy operator for the knockout stages? Whatever Tuchel's reasoning, England's defence was vulnerable in Saturday's 2-0 win over Panama and too often exposed as their opponents were allowed 13 attempts on goal. Panama also had a late consolation for Jose Fajardo narrowly ruled out for offside. Tuchel is now preparing for what he regards as "chapter three" of England's quest to win their first major men's trophy since the 1966 World Cup. "We wanted to win the group," he said. "There is no substitute for wins and we have that feeling again. Three days to prepare the match in Atlanta. The tournament starts new again. We had the first chapter in prep camp, the second chapter in the group, and the third chapter is coming." For all Tuchel's upbeat words, it was impossible to escape the ominous feeling – indeed inevitability – that if England defend with such uncertainty, and are pierced so regularly, by superior opposition and the world-class forwards they will hope to face by going deeper into the competition, punishment will be heavier and their World Cup hopes could disappear. The big plus for Tuchel, and the world-class shield that will act as protection against the sort of openings Panama created, will be the expected return of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for the last-32 tie against DR Congo on Wednesday (17:00 BST). Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers was the positive selection against Panama, ahead of the more conservative choice of Manchester United 's Kobbie Mainoo, but it sometimes left England too open. Rice's presence alone will give Tuchel, as well as his England team-mates, reassurance. This is, perhaps, why Tuchel spoke with such confidence despite Saturday's mixed performance. Read more on Rice's importance and England's need to improve