Sam Allardyce, former England manager, believes that keeping Erling Haaland quiet on Saturday's match against Norway is key to England's success, but he's unsure if Marc Guehi is the right person for the task.
Haaland has been a sensation in the World Cup, scoring seven times in four games, including twice in a win over Brazil. Allardyce thinks that Guehi, who knows Haaland's game well due to playing with him at Manchester City, might not be the best person to mark the Norwegian striker.
"Personally, from a coaching point of view, I wouldn't let Guehi mark Haaland at any stage if he can help it," Allardyce said. "If it's going to be Konsa alongside him, then it has to be Konsa's job. Even if that means they switch over as time goes by."
Allardyce also thinks that Dan Burn, the Newcastle United defender, could be better suited to the task of marking Haaland. Burn impressed off the bench against Mexico and has the aerial ability to deal with Haaland's heading power.
"Whether Thomas Tuchel wants to be brave and bold and put a bigger centre-half in there like Dan Burn will be something he'll have to decide," Allardyce said. "Do you really want to disturb the team again? It's a big decision."
Another problem England has to contend with is the risk of suspension if they progress to the semi-finals. Guehi, Jude Bellingham, Nico O'Reilly, and Declan Rice would all miss a hypothetical last-four clash if they pick up another booking against Norway.
"I think there's more of a problem about getting through than anything else," Allardyce said. "If you pick up a card and you're going to lose the next round, then that is what happens. But my total focus would be on just the game."
England has a questionable record against Norway, having won just one of their four competitive matches against the team. But Allardyce is confident that England will emerge victorious on Saturday, saying, "On the back of the Mexico game, I'm confident."
"I think that the players have to reach even a higher standard and we've got the opportunity that it's in our hands, and we've got to go out and perform and make sure that we get the victory," Allardyce added.
