Bellingham, Foden & Kane can’t all start in current system – Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel has laid out a tactical dilemma: Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane cannot all start in his current setup.

With England using a 4-3-3 formation focused on natural wide players supporting a central striker, Tuchel explained why it’s difficult to accommodate three central attackers. “At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play,” he told TalkSport. “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.”

Tuchel views Foden less as a wide player now and more as a forward-midfield hybrid. “A mix between a number nine and a 10,” is how he described the Manchester City midfielder. As for Bellingham, he is vying with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers for the number 10 slot. Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White are also contenders for that role, though Palmer is currently sidelined with a groin issue and Gibbs-White was omitted from the squad.

Since taking charge, Tuchel has leaned on Bukayo Saka out wide on the right, with Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford occupying the left flank. That structure limits central attacking slots. “I don’t see how [taking five number 10s] will help us,” Tuchel said.

“It’s never because they don’t individually deserve it,” he added. “We will always do what’s best for winning. 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.”

He left the door open for Foden to evolve into a deeper-lying midfield option, possibly acting as an eight. “Maybe during the next months,” Tuchel said.

England have already clinched their place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Their next assignments include Thursday’s home clash with Serbia, followed by a visit to Albania on Sunday. Rogers has featured in each of Tuchel’s matches in charge so far, starting five, but a minor hamstring injury could allow Bellingham to reclaim his spot.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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