Michael Owen has urged Thomas Tuchel to make wholesale changes as he named his bold England XI for their third and final 2026 World Cup group stage match against Panama.

England got their World Cup campaign off to a brilliant start when they beat Croatia 4-2. With confidence high, the Three Lions were expected to beat Ghana a few days later and book their place in the last 32 of the competition.

However, England were far from their best at Kansas City Stadium as they played out a goalless draw with the African nation.

Tuchel is now expected to make multiple changes to his starting lineup when England face Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday.

The Three Lions have already booked their place in the last 32 of the competition but need to secure victory over Thomas Christiansen’s side to clinch top spot in Group L.

With the match on the horizon, Owen has told the Daily Mail the 11 England players he thinks should start.

Michael Owen’s England 11 to Take on Panama

REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Despite England needing a victory to clinch first place in their group, Owen thinks that Tuchel should heavily rotate his squad. He is already looking ahead to the knockout rounds and would rest the 11 players he would play in the last 32.

With that in mind, he thinks only four England players should retain their place to face Panama: Ezri Konsa, Djed Spence, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke.

In goal, Owen thinks Dean Henderson should step in for Jordan Pickford. In defence, Owen would play Jarell Quansah at right-back, Spence at left-back, and partner Dan Burn with Konsa in the middle.

Owen wants to see Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson given a rest, with Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo replacing them.

Gordon and Madueke retain their places on the flanks, while Owen would rest Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane and play Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins instead.

Despite the weakened team, Owen thinks his XI ‘should’ still beat Panama. Explaining his side, he said:

“I’d stick with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, who have played the opening two matches, because I’d bring in Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka once we’re beyond the group stage.

“We’ve seen this week, important players are starting to pick up little niggles. We have to think long term, and our top stars should not be risked – or needed – against Panama.”

Thomas Tuchel Hints at Changes

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Tuchel has hinted he will rotate his squad for their match against Panama. Speaking after the draw against Ghana, he said, per the Independent:

“I was not even sure if to do the full rotation [if England had beaten Ghana]. Maybe we would have. But I am not shy to do some rotation now.

“Some players should be on the pitch but maybe it will be more moderate. It’s not always fair if you just rotate your players in and say, ‘Okay, let’s perform.’ Let’s see.

“I like, for example, the centre backs today. They were good together. I like Elliot Anderson, he had a step forward and a good performance, maybe a bit better than against Croatia.”

If England manage to beat Panama and top the group, they will face one of the best performing third-placed sides in the last 32. As things stand, they will play Ecuador.

Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as Roberto De Zerbi looks to add a third new midfielder to his squad this summer, according to TEAMtalk.

Tottenham have had an outstanding summer transfer window already, and it isn’t even July yet.

ENIC have gone into overdrive and delivered four confirmed signings for De Zerbi already in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and Jan Paul van Hecke, with the former three arriving on free transfers.

Spurs are far from finished there though, with multiple additions expected across the midfield and attack ahead of next season.

There was surprise when it was announced that the north Londoners were working on an ambitious deal to bring Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs still working to find an agreement on that deal.

Then it was confirmed that Spurs wanted West Ham United’s Portugal international Mateus Fernandes, and that any potential transfer was seen as separate to the Tonali pursuit.

That may not be the end of their business in that position either, while new additions are expected all across the frontline as De Zerbi aims to transform a team that has underperformed for two years in the Premier League.

Tottenham Discuss Adam Wharton Move Internally

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According to TEAMtalk, even though Tottenham are currently working simultaneously on deals to sign Tonali and Fernandes, there is a belief that they could actually look to sign three new players in the position in this window.

As well as the Italian and Portuguese stars, the report adds that Spurs have an interest in Palace star Wharton and have discussed internally about making a move for the England international, who missed out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at this summer’s World Cup.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the most impressive players in his position in the Premier League in recent seasons, and he is also attracting interest from Liverpool, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

Wharton Won’t Come on the Cheap

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Crystal Palace will be in no mood to sell Wharton on the cheap this summer, especially at a time when Manchester City have just paid well in excess of £100m to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

The Eagles will want Wharton in midfield for new manager Pierre Sage for their Europa League campaign, as they look to make a big impact on the competition having won the Europa Conference League last term.

Palace are said to want £100m to even consider a sale of the Englishman, who is on a long-term contract at Selhurst Park, and that would be a huge outlay for Tottenham, and only realistic should they fail to land one of Tonali or Fernandes.

Tottenham are also still in talks over a potential move to make Joao Palhinha’s loan move from Bayern Munich permanent, and he could be the lower-cost third option should Spurs pull off a sensational double swoop to sign Tonali and Fernandes.

Arsenal are set for a more considered approach to their summer transfer business than some of their rivals, with minor tweaks expected to the squad over the coming weeks on the market.

Given the strength in depth in the Gunners’ ranks, any moves in are likely to come after exits, with a key goal for Andrea Berta likely to be the improvement of fees accrued via sales.

Several stars have been linked with deals elsewhere, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli attracting interest from clubs away from the Premier League.

However, there is also the possibility of an exit for Gabriel Jesus this summer.

Arsenal Lower Gabriel Jesus Asking Price

One player who Arsenal are open to an exit for is Gabriel Jesus, as the Brazilian enters the final year under contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The forward has struggled for form and fitness over recent seasons, making 27 appearances last season with six goals and two assists to his name across all competitions.

Given his struggles in getting back to top form, Arsenal could sanction a sale, as Caught Offside reports that the Gunners have lowered their asking price for the forward.

It’s claimed that the Gunners are now willing to listen to offers in the range of £20 million to £25 million to let the 29-year-old leave this summer.

The club had initially set a valuation of £30 million for Jesus, who was previously linked with a move to Serie A as well as a return to Brazil with Palmeiras.

However, a sale at that price point isn’t seemingly possible, and now Arsenal are keen to lower that valuation in an effort to get a deal done.

Jesus is believed to be among the top-earners at the club, earning around £265,000-a-week, and an exit could help save some money on the club’s books.

Arsenal May Want Versatile Replacement

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An exit for Jesus may come at a fitting point, given that his arrival signalled Arsenal’s first real push to win the Premier League, and his exit comes with a winners’ medal in hand.

His initial signing brought plenty of quality, a mixture of physicality and technical brilliance that left opposition defenders on tenterhooks when trying to face off with him.

The injuries have started to pile up and that spark has now seemingly gone, so an exit in the final year of his deal could be wise to help recoup some money towards another key signing.

A similarly versatile option could be desired, someone who is capable of playing as a centre-forward behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, but can also receive minutes out wide.

Transfer target Christos Tzolis can certainly provide some of that, largely featuring on the left wing with an ability to play as a centre-forward.

However, it remains to be seen whether a different marquee arrival could replace Jesus this summer.