A number of England players, including senior members of the squad, expressed confusion over Thomas Tuchel's defensive substitutions during the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, according to Sky Sports News.

The match took a turn after Anthony Gordon scored, giving England the lead. Just 17 minutes later, Tuchel introduced Ezri Konsa for Gordon, switching to a back-five formation with over half an hour remaining. This tactical shift drew criticism from players who believed it hindered England's chances of securing the win.

Key moments included:

• Declan Rice being substituted for Nico O'Reilly, resulting in England fielding six defenders, four of whom were centre-backs.
• Harry Kane dropped deeper to support the defense as Lionel Messi and Argentina ramped up their attacks.

With only 12 percent possession after Gordon's goal and no substitutions to inject pace, players felt they lacked options to relieve defensive pressure. Tuchel defended his tactics, attributing possession struggles to systemic issues in English football rather than errors on his part.

Despite the defeat, there is no indication of a rift within the England squad, and Tuchel remains a respected figure among players. He has confirmed his commitment to the role ahead of Euro 2028, where England will co-host alongside Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.