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England enters its World Cup round of 32 showdown with DR Congo as the overwhelming favorite, but if there's one area of concern for the Three Lions at the moment, it's the right back position.
Regular starter Reece James is set to miss several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury, while first-choice backup Jarell Quansah, formerly of Liverpool, is also expected to sit out after rolling his ankle during Saturday's 2–0 win over Panama.
With Tino Livramento having withdrawn through injury before the tournament even kicked off and Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of the squad entirely, manager Thomas Tuchel faces a real headache at right back ahead of Wednesday lunchtime's fixture in Atlanta.
It appears Tuchel has four potential solutions to plug the gap.
4. Declan Rice
Declan Rice recovered from his own injury scare to earn a place on the bench against Panama, though little did he realize he was also quietly entering the conversation as a potential right back option.
Rice made his senior breakthrough at West Ham United as a central defender, and last season Mikel Arteta leaned on his defensive capabilities at Arsenal. When both Jurriën Timber and Ben White were sidelined, the Spaniard deployed Rice at right back for a spell — and, true to form, he delivered.
That said, Rice is far too valuable in midfield unless there is absolutely no other choice. Given that alternatives do exist, it's unlikely he'll be seriously considered unless England's injury situation deteriorates further before kickoff.
3. Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa has featured in every minute of England's tournament campaign so far as a starting center back, but he could potentially be pushed out to the right flank if circumstances demand it.
Much may hinge on the fitness of John Stones, who started the opening group stage match against Croatia before being forced off with a minor injury, prompting Tuchel to pair Konsa with Marc Guéhi at the back. Should Stones return to fitness, he could line up alongside Guéhi, freeing Konsa to cover out wide.
"Yeah, for sure," Tuchel said when asked whether Stones could feature against DR Congo. "Why not?"
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2. Trevoh Chalobah
When Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup, many anticipated that Tuchel would turn to Real Madrid's Alexander-Arnold as a replacement. He chose not to, instead opting to bring in Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah for a reunion.
Chalobah, 26, has occupied a variety of positions throughout his senior career. He currently operates as a center back — the role he developed in through the academy — though his senior breakthrough actually came in midfield, and his versatility has also seen him make a number of appearances at right back.
Tuchel did not cite right back cover when explaining Chalobah's call-up, instead suggesting the move gave him the flexibility to position Quansah as the primary wide backup. Now, the Chelsea defender may find himself stepping into that very role.
1. Djed Spence
Djed Spence remains the only natural fit for Tuchel, who has highlighted the Tottenham Hotspur man's ability to operate on either side of the defense as justification for his place in the squad this summer.
Handing Spence the starting berth is unlikely to be a tough call for Tuchel, but the England manager will need to start thinking carefully about rotation if he harbors ambitions of a deep tournament run. Depending on Spence to play every available minute — given the uncertainty surrounding both James and Quansah — could prove costly, particularly as he is already competing with a broken jaw.
If England can wrap up the job against DR Congo early, expect Spence to be withdrawn to the bench for protection, at which point one of Tuchel's backup options will get the opportunity to make their case.