In a revelation that could reshape England's Euro 2024 strategy, former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has proposed a radical tactical shift for Gareth Southgate's squad. The German tactician, who remains without a club since leaving Bayern Munich, believes Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham should be deployed as a striker rather than in his customary midfield role.
The controversial suggestion comes amid concerns about England's attacking options beyond captain Harry Kane. While the Three Lions boast an embarrassment of riches in creative midfield positions, Tuchel argues that Bellingham's exceptional goal-scoring form for Real Madrid makes him the ideal solution to Southgate's selection dilemma.
Why Bellingham as a Number Nine?
Tuchel's reasoning stems from Bellingham's extraordinary season at the Bernabéu, where the 20-year-old has netted an impressive 20 goals from midfield. "Look at his numbers—they're phenomenal for a midfielder," Tuchel explained during an appearance on Jeff Stelling's podcast. "His movement in the box, his timing, his finishing—these are the qualities of a top striker."
The German manager emphasized that this positional switch would solve multiple problems simultaneously. It would allow England to field both Bellingham and Declan Rice in the starting eleven while addressing the lack of depth behind Kane. "You have Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, James Maddison—so many options for the number ten role," Tuchel noted. "But who plays if something happens to Harry?"
The Kane Conundrum
Tuchel's proposal doesn't suggest benching England's captain and record goalscorer. Instead, he envisions a dynamic partnership between Kane and Bellingham, with the latter operating as a second striker or false nine when needed.
"Harry drops deep anyway, so why not have Jude making those penetrating runs beyond him?" Tuchel suggested. "Their movement could cause nightmares for defenders. It's about getting your best players on the pitch in positions where they can hurt the opposition most."
Southgate's Selection Headache
The England manager faces what many are calling a "golden generation" selection dilemma. With an abundance of talent in attacking positions, Southgate must find the right balance between defensive solidity and offensive firepower.
Tuchel's suggestion offers a creative solution to this problem, though it would require Bellingham to adapt to a new role at international level. The young star's versatility and football intelligence make him uniquely suited to such a transition, according to the former Champions League winner.
As Euro 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on Southgate's tactical decisions. Whether he heeds Tuchel's advice remains to be seen, but the suggestion has certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate about how England can finally end their trophy drought.
