Tony Adams believes Chelsea comrades Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have a completely absent on-field partnership.
Writing for the Sun, Adams attacked the perceived lack of cohesion between the two Senegal internationals.
Considering the two play together for club and country, one would think Mendy and Koulibaly have an extremely strong bond.
Yet, they’ve certainly not formed the tightest of fortresses when featuring together in a blue jersey.
Mendy and Koulibaly under question
The pair have only kept one clean sheet this season for Chelsea when they’ve both been on the pitch.
They are also yet to prevent any of their World Cup opponents from scoring so far.
Despite being relatively porous at the back, Senegal managed to sneak past Ecuador and into the knockout rounds.
Aliou Cisse’s side will be pitted against England, with the Three Lions fresh from whacking Wales 3-0.
Gareth Southgate’s men understandably enter the contest as favourites, a tie that Adam’s suggested could be decided by Senegal’s weak defence.
“Defensively, Senegal are poorly organised. I’m looking at Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly and, although he has ability, he plays for himself and doesn’t organise the men around him,” wrote the former Arsenal captain.
“His relationship with keeper Edouard Mendy, another Chelsea player, seems to be non-existent.
“Mendy is a fantastic goalkeeper but he makes mistakes — you only have to look at the two he threw in against the Dutch.
“Koulibaly will get exposed one v one without the help he needs around him and that’s when the likes of Marcus Rashford can exploit him.”
Mendy and Koulibaly must conjure up a performance
Having witnessed England tear apart Wales, Koulibaly and Mendy might be fearing an onslaught.
Senegal have certainly not kept the water from splashing through the cracks, and have relied on their offensive players to get them out of trouble.
Although, Koulibaly came up with the goods in the 2-1 victory over Ecuador.
His volley from inside the area ensured the Lions of Teranga took all three points and progressed to the elimination phase ahead of their opponent.
Such fine margins might well be the decider on Sunday when England take on their African adversary.
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