England’s wingers have ‘not really worked’ at the 2026 World Cup — that is Michael Owen’s blunt verdict, delivered exclusively to GOAL. Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke were all expected to drive England’s attack from wide areas. None has truly convinced, and Thomas Tuchel heads into the semi-final against Argentina still without a settled winger pairing.
Owen’s Verdict: A Star Quartet That Never Clicked
None of England’s four wingers has nailed down a guaranteed starting spot. Michael Owen, the former Ballon d’Or winner, put it plainly: it has ‘not really worked’. Rashford, Saka, Gordon and Madueke have shared minutes without any one of them seizing control, forcing Tuchel to reshuffle from game to game.
The paradox is striking: England have reached the semi-final despite that wide-attack uncertainty, carried by their midfield and defence rather than by penetration out wide. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, meanwhile, have not even made the starting XI — a call that continues to split opinion in the English press.
Why Tuchel Still Hasn’t Settled on a Pairing
Tuchel’s reluctance to commit reflects a genuine tactical dilemma rather than indecision. Each winger offers something different — Saka’s end product, Rashford’s pace in behind, Gordon’s pressing, Madueke’s one-v-one threat — but none has combined those traits into a complete, tournament-defining performance.
That has left England relying on structure over individual spark. In knockout football, an attack without clear reference points risks handing the initiative to sharper opponents. Finding the right complementary pair — not simply the biggest names — is the puzzle Tuchel must finally solve.
England vs Argentina: A Semi-Final of Attacking Tension
Against Argentina in the semi-final, Tuchel will have to commit on the flanks at last. The stakes could not be higher: an England attack without clear identity risks ceding control to a well-drilled Albiceleste. The German manager may well decide his tournament on this call.
For England fans, it is the defining question of the run. A World Cup is won on the fine details of attacking organisation as much as on raw talent — and the wide areas are exactly where this semi-final could be won or lost.
FAQ
What did Michael Owen say about England’s wingers?
Owen told GOAL that England’s wingers — Rashford, Saka, Gordon and Madueke — have ‘not really worked’ as planned at the 2026 World Cup, with none establishing themselves as a guaranteed starter.
Why are Cole Palmer and Phil Foden not starting?
Thomas Tuchel has left Palmer and Foden out of his starting XI ahead of the semi-final, a tactical choice tied to his still-unsettled search for the right attacking balance.
How far have England gone at the 2026 World Cup?
Despite their winger problems, England have reached the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup and face Argentina for a place in the final.
Which England wingers are involved?
The four are Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, the quartet expected to power England’s wide attack at the 2026 World Cup.
Can England still win the World Cup with this issue?
Yes — England have reached the semi-final on the strength of their midfield and defence, and settling on a winger pairing against Argentina could unlock the attacking spark needed to reach the final.
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