Kane and Bellingham produce the goods but England need others to step up

E ngland will head to Atlanta with problems in central defence, right-backs dropping like flies, weary legs in midfield and hope that everything will turn out fine if the Harry and Jude show continues to thrill. For Thomas Tuchel , it is “a moment to keep believe and pushing”. Did England convince while securing top spot in Group L by beating Panama 2-0 in New Jersey? Not at all, but for a team looking to keep spirits high all that matters for now is they have a winnable last-32 tie against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday and will be a threat against anyone if Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane continue to produce. Tuchel is too smart not to know there is plenty of room for improvement. Panama exited the World Cup with no goals in three games but they made chances against England. The defence is shaky and will be punished by sharper attacks. Relief at swerving a tie against Senegal should be tempered. The DRC began their campaign by holding Portugal , have the Sunderland dynamo Noah Sadiki in midfield and will fancy Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa to profit if England fail to tighten up. The biggest issue is in the cursed right-back position. Tino Livramento has flown home, the hamstrung Reece James is in a race to be fit for the last 16 – should England get there – and Jarell Quansah rolled an ankle against Panama. …