England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a significant team selection update, stating he will not field star attackers Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden in the same starting eleven. This revelation comes just a year after interim coach Lee Carsley successfully started the trio, along with Cole Palmer, in a match against Greece at Wembley.
The Tactical Reasoning Behind The Decision
Tuchel has emphasised that his team's development has progressed to a point where accommodating all three marquee players compromises the team's balance. He confirmed that there are no guarantees all of them will be on the plane for next summer's World Cup. While Bellingham and Foden return to the England squad for the upcoming Thursday home qualifier against Serbia and Sunday's match in Albania after being omitted in October, their places are not assured long-term.
The German manager has a specific structure in mind for the World Cup and will not force players into unfamiliar roles simply to include them. 'For the moment, if we maintain the structure, they cannot play,' Tuchel told talkSPORT. 'They can, but not in the structure, not for the balance we have developed.'
He elaborated on his preferred formation, stating, 'At the moment we play with a six, an eight, a 10, and a nine.' This system creates a particular logjam for the number ten position, where both Foden and Bellingham are vying for a spot.
Intense Competition For The Number Ten Role
Tuchel highlighted the fierce competition for the attacking midfield berth, naming several contenders beyond the established stars. 'Especially in the number ten position if you think of Phil who could play there, if you think of Jude, you think of Morgan Rogers, who played fantastically for us in this position,' he said.
He also mentioned Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White as further options, creating a selection headache. 'There are many, many players, and there is a possibility we will not take them all,' Tuchel admitted. He was quick to clarify that any omission would not be due to a lack of merit, but rather for the greater good of the team's cohesion and chances of winning.
The manager's comments appear to be particularly challenging news for Phil Foden. Tuchel recently stated he views the Manchester City star as a central player rather than a winger. This positioning places him behind both Jude Bellingham and the in-form Morgan Rogers for the number ten role behind Harry Kane.
Morgan Rogers Emerges as a Genuine Contender
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has emerged as a serious competitor, with Tuchel revealing that if the World Cup started tomorrow, the number ten shirt would belong to Rogers. 'Right now the competition is between Jude and Morgan,' Tuchel confirmed. He described their rivalry as a friendly one, noting, 'They are friends, so it can also be a friendly competition.'
While acknowledging that Bellingham and Rogers could theoretically play together, Tuchel stressed that this would require a different team structure, which he is not currently prepared to implement. 'It is not the time to change our structure,' he asserted.
Tuchel did leave a slight door open for Foden, suggesting he could be considered as a false nine or even potentially as an eight, but he remained firm on his overarching principle. 'I see a very, very low percentage that we take five number tens to a tournament,' he stated. 'I don't see how this will help us.'
The England manager's message is clear: he is prepared to make difficult, unpopular decisions to build the most balanced and effective squad possible for the World Cup, even if it means leaving out some of the nation's most celebrated talents.
