Thomas Tuchel’s comments about how hard it is to fit Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane into England’s current setup say a lot about where the team stands right now. Even with a guaranteed spot in the 2026 World Cup and a roster full of big names, the coach doesn’t seem willing to give up the structure that’s been delivering results.
He explained that “for the moment, if we keep the structure, they can’t play (together). They can, but not within this structure.” He then pointed out the base of the current model and noted that he uses “a 6, an 8, a 10 and a 9.” It’s a straightforward, transparent answer that opens the door to a bigger debate about tactical priorities and hierarchy within a group loaded with talent.
Balance over star power
Tuchel’s statement resonates because a lot of people tend to focus only on the individual shine of Foden, Bellingham and Kane. Still, even with a long list of attack-minded midfielders, he sticks to the idea of putting each player in the role that suits him best instead of “finding a position for the best players just to have them on the field.”
The coach said he prefers to keep the balance and encourage healthy competition, something that, in his view, doesn’t create tension. If anything, it sharpens the group. He even mentioned that the main battle right now for the advanced midfield role is between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers and said their relationship is easygoing since they’ve been friends since childhood. For Tuchel, that doesn’t stop them from pushing each other to perform. He made it clear that they can play together, but only in a different setup, not now.
What matters to Tuchel at this stage
The team has options, but it isn’t looking to change what works without a good reason. Even with two low-stakes games ahead against Serbia and Albania, the coach is already signaling that he won’t use them as a wide-open testing ground. The squad is already qualified and doesn’t need major adjustments at the moment. Could he try new ways of playing or something along those lines? Sure, but that’s not likely to happen now. Based on what he’s shown, the plan is to maintain this structure until there’s a concrete reason to shift.