NEVER PICK THEM AGAIN Alan Shearer delivers a savage verdict on England’s underperformers following the shaky win over DR Congo.

Former England captain Alan Shearer has delivered a brutal assessment of England’s performance after their nervy 2-1 victory over DR Congo, insisting that several players should never be selected for the national team again if they continue to perform at such a poor level.

Although Thomas Tuchel’s side booked their place in the World Cup Round of 16 with the win, the display left supporters and pundits deeply concerned. England struggled to control the match against determined opposition, making costly mistakes in possession, looking vulnerable in defence, and failing to dominate despite being overwhelming favourites.

Shearer did not hide his frustration after the final whistle. Speaking about the performance, he suggested that wearing the England shirt should be a privilege earned through consistent quality, passion, and commitment—not simply reputation. According to the former striker, too many players looked comfortable rather than hungry, and several failed to justify their place in the starting lineup.

The legendary Newcastle United forward argued that England were fortunate to escape with victory. Against stronger opponents, he believes the same level of performance would almost certainly end in elimination. He warned that relying on individual moments instead of producing convincing team displays is a dangerous approach in a tournament where every mistake can prove fatal.

England began brightly but quickly lost control of the contest. Their passing became sloppy, the midfield struggled to dictate the tempo, and defensive errors allowed DR Congo to remain in the game throughout. Despite eventually securing the result, there were long spells where Tuchel’s men looked nervous and uncertain.

Shearer highlighted the lack of intensity shown by several players. He questioned whether everyone on the pitch fully understood the responsibility of representing England on football’s biggest stage. In his view, too many individuals failed to win important duels, track runners, or show the urgency expected in a World Cup knockout match.

The criticism has sparked widespread debate among England fans. Many supporters agreed with Shearer’s comments, arguing that certain players have repeatedly failed to deliver when given opportunities. Others believe Tuchel must be bold enough to make significant changes before England face Mexico in the Round of 16.

Tuchel himself admitted after the game that his side must improve. While pleased with qualification, the England manager acknowledged that the overall performance fell well below the standards expected of a team hoping to challenge for the World Cup trophy. He stressed that there is little time to dwell on the display, with a much tougher test awaiting.

Attention now turns to the clash against Mexico, a fixture many expect to be considerably more demanding than the encounter with DR Congo. England know that another performance full of defensive mistakes and missed chances could bring their tournament to an abrupt end.

Shearer’s warning is likely to increase the pressure on both the players and the coaching staff. His comments reflect the expectations placed upon England, where simply winning is often not enough. Fans want convincing performances, discipline, and the mentality required to compete with the world’s best teams.

Several players now face intense scrutiny ahead of team selection. Tuchel must decide whether to remain loyal to those who struggled or reward others waiting for an opportunity. The coming days could see major tactical adjustments as England attempt to raise their level before the knockout stages become even more demanding.

Despite the criticism, England remain alive in the tournament, and that gives them the opportunity to respond. Great teams have recovered from disappointing performances before, but they have done so by learning from mistakes and raising their standards immediately.

For now, Shearer’s message is unmistakable. Winning against DR Congo may have secured qualification, but it did not erase the flaws exposed during the match. Unless England’s underperformers improve quickly, calls for sweeping changes will only grow louder, and Tuchel may have little choice but to make ruthless decisions in pursuit of World Cup success.