England's football team is facing a selection dilemma as manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane cannot start together in the current system. This revelation comes amidst preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Under Tuchel's management, England have adopted a 4-3-3 system with wingers on each side of striker Harry Kane. Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is the first choice to play on the right, while either Newcastle's Anthony Gordon or Barcelona's Marcus Rashford fills in on the left.
This formation leaves room for fierce competition for who plays behind Kane in the number 10 role. A high-profile name could potentially miss out on making it to the World Cup squad due to this positional clash.
Competition for number 10 role
Tuchel has identified several players as potential options for this coveted position. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were both recalled to compete for this role along with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
England manager, Thomas Tuchel, said:
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers - who are like specialists in their positions."
Other contenders include Chelsea’s Cole Palmer who currently nurses a groin injury, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White who was left out of the latest squad, and Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze from within their ranks. However, Tuchel clarified that it would be highly unlikely he would select five number 10s in his World Cup squad which intensifies competition among these talented players.
Thomas Tuchel added:
"I don't see how this will help us. We will always do what's best for balance and we will try to keep the clarity, even if it means that we have to take tough decisions. We take tough decisions in any camp, and this will not change when we go to a tournament."
He also said anyone missing out will not be "because they don't individually deserve it" but because he will "always do what's best for winning".
Interestingly enough, last week Tuchel mentioned he no longer saw Foden as just a winger but instead "a mix between a number nine and a ten". He further added that he saw Foden playing as a hybrid between an eight and ten at City which opens up possibilities of him being considered for a midfield role in the coming months.
England's World Cup journey
England has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be held in USA, Canada and Mexico with two games to spare. They are set to host Serbia at Wembley on Thursday before heading off to Albania on Sunday.
Morgan Rogers has been impressive under Tuchel’s management, starting five and featuring in all eight of the games managed by Tuchel. However, a hamstring niggle could potentially give Bellingham an opportunity to start against Serbia.
In conclusion, while England boasts a wealth of talent within its ranks, it faces tough decisions regarding player selection and formation. The upcoming matches will provide further insight into how Tuchel plans to utilize his players as they prepare for their World Cup campaign.
