Croatia exposed Thomas Tuchel's biggest flaw, and Marc Guehi is the answer for England
Croatia showed Thomas Tuchel exactly why he should hand Marc Guehi a start at centre-back in England's next game against Ghana.
England kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win against old foes Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday night.
Harry Kane's first half brace was matched by Martin Baturina and Peter Musa, but Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford scored for the Three Lions in the second period.
The first 45 was one of struggle and uncertainty for Tuchel's side, as their opponents looked dangerous with every attack.
John Stones and Ezri Konsa proved that they are not the centre-back partnership that will win England the World Cup, so Guehi deserves a chance to make his mark next week.
The Man City star was arguably the best English centre-back in the Premier League last season, and has been a mainstay in the national side for several years.
It came as a shock to see him benched for England's tournament opener, and his fellow centre-backs did not show why they deserved a spot instead.
Thomas Tuchel must make Marc Guehi decision after Croatia clash
Guehi started six games for England at EURO 2024 and proved why he was heralded as one of the most promising defenders in the country, yet looks set to watch on in North America.
He started one of their two warm-up friendlies earlier in June, yet saw Konsa and Stones picked to start ahead of him on Wednesday night in Dallas.
Stones allowed Petar Sucic too much space and threw himself to the floor for no reason before Baturina levelled in the 36th minute.
Konsa then failed to track Ivan Perisic for Croatia's second, as he assisted Musa following a run through the middle of the area.
Guehi must have been watching and wondering why he was not on the pitch, as he has rarely ever put a foot wrong for England and seemed to be an obvious starter in the run-up to the tournament.
He did eventually come on in the 87th minute for Stones, but had little to do as England cruised to victory.
Guehi's 2025-26 Premier League stats compared to Stones'
Sources have told Football Insider that Everton are considering a move for free agent Stones as he leaves Man City this summer.
They will not have been particularly impressed by his showing against Croatia, and it is not as if his stats from last term make great reading either.
Guehi made 35 league appearances in 2025-26 to his nine, while he also made more accurate passes and completed more accurate long balls per 90 too.
The 25-year-old comes out on top of his former teammate when successful tackles, blocks, clearances and interceptions per 90 are taken into account too.