England were 15 minutes from humiliation - the issues Tuchel must solve

Ex-England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport after that win: "Defensively there were far too many holes in the back four, and when we did give chances away, they scored from their first one, should have scored with the Yoane Wissa one.

"Putting Declan Rice to right-back worked because he was the one that got forward and played a part in the second goal, so Tuchel has a decision to make.

"If you asked me before the game I would have been very reluctant, but he can add a little bit of quality where we have lacked with the players we have picked up to now."

Rice, however, surely offers too much in midfield, so right-back must be a non-starter. If he did actually end up there again it would be an admission by Tuchel that he got his squad horribly wrong.

Asked whether Rice should play at right-back, ex-England defender Micah Richards said: "No, I wouldn't. I feel he can give too much in that central midfield area. If you're going into the Mexico game, which is going to be at altitude, you need his energy in midfield.

"I would go with Ezri Konsa at right-back, and put John Stones alongside Marc Guehi. That is a better balance for the team."

Stones has been left out after starting the win against Croatia. His experience could be invaluable in the Azteca hothouse, especially after Konsa and Guehi went missing for Brian Cipenga's goal.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney added: "For me, there are big concerns. In particular, when England lose the ball they are so open.

"Against a better team, I think we're in big trouble if we don't sort that out. We're so open in midfield."

Throwing in the constant changing on the flanks, it all adds up to Tuchel still having serious questions about his first-choice side.

The debate has raged over Tuchel's exclusion of natural creators such as Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden from his World Cup squad.

It is easy to say in hindsight as they both had poor seasons at club level. Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Bournemouth's Alex Scott had bigger claims, but were also ignored.

There is no doubt, however, that England have lacked creative force, especially in the goalless draw against Ghana.

Brentford's Jordan Henderson, now 36, will only be used as a substitute. Once again the question should be asked - would his place have been better served taken by Gibbs-White or Scott? Or even Palmer or Foden?

Foden was used as a false nine in the Wembley loss to Japan, but the experiment failed and effectively finished his World Cup hopes.

If England go deeper into the World Cup they will need match-shifting moments. As flagged up before, they cannot - and should not - rely on Kane and Bellingham every time.