Thomas Tuchel warned about John Stones plan to deal with Erling Haaland in World Cup quarter-final

Jul 7, 2026 - 20:15
Thomas Tuchel warned about John Stones plan to deal with Erling Haaland in World Cup quarter-final

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That’s the message from former England Under-21 defender Ben Mee, who has urged caution ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

England v Mexico
England’s win over Mexico sees them march on to Miami for a date with Norway
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Thomas Tuchel‘s side head to Miami on Saturday, live on talkSPORT, to take on Erling Haaland and co after they superbly sent Brazil packing on Sunday.

Arguably just as impressive was England’s 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca later in the day to set up an intriguing last eight clash.

England boss Tuchel has made a host of personnel changes across the five games so far.

In the heart of defence, Tuchel opted for a partnership of Ezri Konsa and John Stones for England’s opener against Croatia.

But in the four games that followed, Konsa formed a solid partnership with Marc Guehi, with Stones consigned to the bench.

With the threat of Haaland up next for the Three Lions, there have been suggestions that Tuchel could opt for Stones and Guehi as the centre-back pairing.

Stones, who left Manchester City last month as a free agent, knows all about his former teammate and could be the key to nullifying the 25-year-old.

However, Mee does not subscribe to that notion and believes dropping Konsa to the bench could see England lose a key attribute.

“I think taking Konsa out of that middle probably reduces our physicality a little bit inside the box so I’d be cautious of that,” the former Burnley and Brentford defender told talkSPORT Breakfast.

“John’s a great defender, good on the ball and experienced.

Erling Haaland celebrates scoring for Norway against Brazil
Haaland has scored seven goals in four appearances at the World Cup for Norway
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John Stones embracing with Erling Haaland
Stones knows first hand all about Haaland’s threat
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Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi for England.
Konsa and Guehi have been Tuchel’s preferred pairing at the tournament
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“That nous of knowing him and having that experience from the big games is important but I do like the physicality we have in there at the minute.”

Asked whether Dan Burn could be a credible option for Tuchel to help combat Haaland’s aerial threat, Mee once again raised his doubts.

“It could be an option,” he said. “The ball in behind may be a bit more trouble for Dan. But late on in the game for sure, coming on in the last 15 minutes.

“When Haaland has been scoring, he scored late on against Ivory Coast and Brazil, so bringing him (Burn) on to defend crosses the other night (is an idea).

“He was fantastic so it could be an option for sure.”

Newcastle defender Burn played a key role in his cameo appearance against Mexico.

Dan Burn
Dan Burn made six heroic clearances against Mexico
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The 34-year-old was introduced in the 75th minute and made a string of vital blocks and clearances to deny Mexico a late equaliser.

And Burn’s record when facing the Norwegian hitman isn’t too shabby either.

Statistics have emerged showing Burn has a solid record when it comes to keeping Haaland at bay having reduced him to just one goal in eight appearances.

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