England Manager Thomas Tuchel Faces Difficult Choices as Competition Rages for Key Positions
Wembley, England – England manager Thomas Tuchel is facing a selection dilemma as he weighs how too best utilize a wealth of attacking talent, potentially leaving a high-profile player out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel has primarily deployed a 4-3-3 formation with Harry Kane leading the attack, flanked by wingers Bukayo Saka on the right and either Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford on the left. This setup creates intense competition for the crucial number 10 role behind Kane.
Tuchel identified Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-white, and Eberechi Eze as contenders for the number 10 position. However, he indicated that selecting five players for that role is “very unlikely,” stating, “I don’t see how this will help us.” Tuchel emphasized that any omissions will not reflect a player’s individual merit but will be based on achieving “what’s best for winning” and maintaining team “balance and clarity,” even if it requires ”tough decisions.” He added, “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.”
The German coach also suggested a potential shift in role for Phil Foden, noting his hybrid ”eight and a number 10″ position at manchester City and adding, “maybe during the next months” he could be considered for a midfield role. England have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, hosted in the USA, Canada and mexico, with two qualifying matches to spare.
England will face Serbia at Wembley on Thursday and travel to Albania on Sunday. Currently, Rogers has impressed Tuchel, starting five of the eight games he’s managed, but a hamstring injury could open the door for Jude Bellingham to start against Serbia.
