Gary Neville sends warning to England defence ahead of World Cup opener against Croatia

Gary Neville has warned England‘s defence cannot afford to get off to a “nervous start” in their World Cup opener against Croatia.

Thomas Tuchel’s side begin their Group L campaign against the 2018 World Cup finalists in Dallas on Wednesday.

Former Manchester United and England full-back Neville, who played in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups, stressed that a solid defensive performance is key to building tournament momentum.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: “I think it’s so important that that back four starts with a good performance, and I’ve said before about Elliott Anderson and Declan Rice protecting that back four, making sure they don’t expose them. There’s just something about how we start.”

He added: “We can’t afford a nervous start for that back four, but they’ve got to get off the grid. They’re a back four who are talented.

“One on one, you put them up against most, I think they could defend one on one against most, but as a unit, that, to me, is where all my eyes are on Wednesday.”

There has been some uncertainty over who will start at the heart of England’s back four, with John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi seemingly vying for two places.

It appears that the former two are set to get the nod on Wednesday, with Guehi having to settle for a place on the bench despite being a regular in Manchester City‘s starting XI since moving from Crystal Palace in January.

Tuchel’s full-back choices appear more straightforward, with Reece James and Nico O’Reilly expected to start against Croatia.

However, England were dealt a defensive injury blow on Tuesday when it was confirmed Tino Livramento will miss the World Cup due to injury.

He has now been replaced in the squad by Chelsea‘s Trevoh Chalobah, with Tuchel opting to overlook the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall once more.

Following Livramento’s withdrawal, England now have just three recognised full-backs in their squad, with Djed Spence proving cover on both flanks, while Konsa, Chalobah and Dan Burn have experience of playing at full-back.