Tuchel Adjusts England’s Formation Strategy Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Thomas Tuchel has indicated that he no longer considers Phil Foden a traditional wide player.

The England manager stated that Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane cannot all start together in England’s current system. The recent recalls of Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Manchester City’s Foden for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania have intensified discussions around squad dynamics.

On a recent occasion, Tuchel noted that Bellingham and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers are competing for the number 10 role. Furthermore, he clarified that he sees Foden less as a winger and more as a hybrid player, straddling the roles of a number nine and a number ten.

When asked about the potential for Bellingham, Foden, and captain Kane to share the pitch, Tuchel responded to TalkSport, saying, “At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play together. They might technically fit, but not within the current tactical framework nor the balance we’ve established, especially with wingers who are specialists in their positions.”

Tuchel’s England has predominantly employed a 4-3-3 formation, utilizing wingers on either side of striker Kane. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is expected to occupy the right flank, with either Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon or Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford on the left, leading to intense competition for the pivotal number 10 role.

Players like Bellingham, Rogers, Foden, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer—who is currently sidelined with a groin injury—and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been excluded from the latest squad, are all vying for a starting place. Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze is also in contention.

Tuchel highlighted the unlikelihood of selecting five players for the number 10 role in the World Cup squad, stating, “I don’t see how this will help us.” He emphasized that any players left out will not be due to a lack of merit, but rather a strategic choice aimed at optimizing team success.

“We will always make decisions that favor balance, even if they are difficult, and this approach will not change during a tournament,” he asserted. He further noted that he envisions Foden potentially taking on a midfield role, functioning as a hybrid between an eight and a number ten for Manchester City, hinting at the possibility of a positional shift in the future.

England has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with two games remaining. They will host Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, followed by an away match against Albania on Sunday.

Rogers has made a strong impression under Tuchel, starting five of the eight matches since the German took charge. However, a slight hamstring issue may provide Bellingham with the opportunity to start against Serbia.