England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a stark warning, stating he is prepared to make tough decisions for the World Cup, revealing that star players Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane cannot all fit into the team's current structure.
The Tactical Conundrum
As preparations intensify for next summer's tournament in North America, secured through qualification, Tuchel is providing clarity on player roles. For the upcoming Wembley qualifier against Serbia and the trip to Albania, both Bellingham and Foden have been recalled. Tuchel was unequivocal about their positions, stating the Real Madrid star returns as a number 10 and that he no longer views the Manchester City man as a winger.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play," Tuchel told talkSPORT. He explained that Foden is now a hybrid of a nine and a ten, which directly puts him in competition for a spot with captain Harry Kane. The manager emphasised that the current system, which employs a six, eight, a 10, and a nine alongside specialist wingers, creates a balance that would be disrupted by forcing all three into the lineup.
A Crowded Field of Talent
The competition for the attacking midfield role is fierce. Tuchel highlighted that besides Bellingham and Foden, he has other top-quality options like Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Gibbs-White. This wealth of talent means some high-profile players will inevitably miss out on the final squad for the tournament.
"There's a lot, a lot of players, and there's the chance that we will not take everyone," Tuchel admitted. "Simply to... not because we don't like it, not because they don't individually deserve it, but we will always do what's best for the team, we will always do what's best for winning." He reiterated his commitment to maintaining team balance and clarity, even when it leads to difficult selection calls.
Philosophy of Team Over Individuals
Tuchel's philosophy is clear: he prioritises the collective unit over assembling a team of individual stars. He argued that it is better to "put everyone in the best position and have a competition" rather than just finding a place on the pitch for the best players.
When asked about Foden's unique versatility, Tuchel acknowledged it as both an advantage and a challenge. "If you're a unique player, you can play both positions," he said, noting Foden's capability as a nine or a ten, and even suggesting he could be considered as an eight in the future. However, he firmly dismissed the idea of overloading the squad with similar players, stating, "I see a very, very low percentage that we take five number 10s... into a tournament. I don't see how this will help us."
With the World Cup on the horizon, Tuchel's message is one of ruthless pragmatism, setting the stage for a competitive and potentially controversial squad selection process.
