Following their 3-1 loss to Senegal in June, Thomas Tuchel and England got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over minnows Andorra on Saturday evening – and striker-turned-pundit Ian Wright, alongside his partner-in-crime, Roy Keane, is waxing poetic about one star’s performance in particular.
As expected, although the football was rather lifeless at times, the Three Lions put in a dominant display at Villa Park. An own goal in the first half and Declan Rice’s second-half header were enough to preserve their five-point lead on Serbia at the top of Group K.
Now four wins from four in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group, Tuchel will expectedly continue to experiment with his starting XI ahead of next summer’s showpiece – but fans believe that one player, who managed 69 minutes of action against Andorra, has to be a shoo-in for the German tactician moving forwards.
Watch the highlights from England 2-0 Andorra below:
Fans Believe England Star Is Now Undroppable for Tuchel After Andorra Display
thomas tuchel
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson – who was subject to an ITV commentary blunder during the first half – was the best of the bunch. And the fact that England never looked in danger of dropping points in their pursuit of qualification can be put down to the performances of Reece James and the like.
The Chelsea defender, in particular, impressed against Andorra. When quizzed if he is the answer to England’s right-back conundrum, which includes the option of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the aforementioned Wright was certain that he’s the man for the job. He said:
“I think so, yeah. When you look at what he’s capable of doing, whether it’s defending, passing, even if he inverts into midfield. We’ve seen that if he’s given the time and space, he’ll cross the ball and put in pinpoint. Defensively, very sound. Absolutely, if he can stay fit, there’s no danger.”
Roy Keane agreed that, should an injury-prone James stay fit, he’d be Tuchel’s best option on the right of the back four. “He’s got great quality. The key now is staying fit for the next few months and getting some games under his belt and get up to speed."
His fantastic assist for Rice aside, James – a one-time winner of the Champions League – proved that he’s equally adept at bursting up the flank as he is at shutting out wingers. In his 69-minute cameo, he took an eye-catching 100 touches.
In that time, he created two chances – one of which was converted for England's second of the affair – and highlighted his offensive prowess by playing six passes into the final third. He also won five of his six (83.3%) attempted duels. Is he now unstoppable for Tuchel and his entourage?
England Fans Wax Lyrical About James’ 69-Minute Display
reece james
Not only were football’s loveable duo, Wright and Keane, very complimentary of the 25-year-old’s display in the Midlands, as were the England supporters online. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the consensus is that football is ‘too easy’ for the defender.
“The highest level of football is too easy for this guy. I feel like the sport needs to go up another for him to be challenged. Reece James is a wizard,” one said as another added: “Reece James is the only answer for right-back for England at the World Cup.”
“When he’s fully fit, Reece James is phenomenal to watch man. He’s defensively solid in his one vs ones so he can play as a 3rd CB. But he’s also so good when he is outside and crossing. He’s just put in a couple of beauties into the box.”
Responding to footage, which you can watch at your pleasure below, of James’ pinpoint delivery for Rice’s header – and England’s second of the evening – another fan wrote: “The sport is genuinely too easy for Reece James.”
“Massive respect to Reece James for pushing through countless setbacks and maintaining his elite standards on the pitch,” one fan said as another concluded: “I swear Reece James is always England’s best player whenever he starts for them.”
London-born James, who is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the England's top flight right now, has featured in all three of Chelsea’s Premier League matches of the 2025/26 season, though two of those have been cameos from the bench.