England manager Tuchel's biggest injury concerns heading into the knockout rounds are Reece James and Jarell Quansah as the Three Lions defence takes a knock ahead of the DR Congo clash.
Finishing as group winners has given Tuchel‘s side the privilege of facing one of the eight best third-placed teams but DR Congo could hand England a serious challenge for the German coach rotates his side.
Ahead of the game, Scholes spoke on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast about how Rice could be dropped to the bench in what may be a genius tactical switch.
"England don’t need to play two sitting midfielders in the next game. No disrespect to Congo but in those type of games you play as many attackers as possible. I think it has to be a straight shootout between Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, and I think I would just go with Anderson.
"I think he (Anderson) will pass it forward a bit more. Think about Rice with Arsenal… look, he’s a great player and a great leader, I get all that, and you’d rather him in your team than not most of the time. But Arsenal didn’t play great football last season either, did they?
“Rice couldn’t get (Martin) Odegaard in the game, so maybe that’s transferred a bit to England. I don’t think that happens with Anderson."
England's performances at the World Cup suggest that an appearance in the final is unlikely in what has been a mixed bag of results so far.
Rice was rested for the 2-0 win over Panama after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana last Tuesday and is free to start the clash this week. However, Tuchel may listen to Scholes as he looks to breath more life into his side.