England boss Thomas Tuchel has declared that Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden cannot all play in the same team.
The Three Lions have already sealed their place at next year's World Cup and will look to round off a perfect qualifying campaign when they host Serbia on Thursday and visit Albania on Sunday.
Foden has not been selected by Tuchel since March, despite enjoying a resurgence with Manchester City in recent weeks.
Bellingham, meanwhile, has not played for England since June, after a shoulder operation caused him to miss the start of Real Madrid's season.
After an uninspiring start to life under Tuchel, England burst into life with a 5-0 rout of Serbia in September, in a game that saw Morgan Rogers, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon start behind Kane in a 4-2-3-1 system.
On Thursday, Tuchel told reporters that he would gladly omit big-name players from his squad if they do not fit his system, and he went one step further in an interview with TalkSPORT.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play," said Tuchel about Kane, Bellingham and Foden.
"They can, but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed. Not for the structure that also comes with wingers who are like specialists in their positions.
"At the moment, we play with a number six, a number eight, a number 10 and a number nine."
Kane, Bellingham and Foden all started all seven of England's games at Euro 2024, when they reached the final and lost 2-1 to Spain.
Foden failed to supply a goal involvement and was roundly criticised, while Kane (three goals) and Bellingham (two goals, one assist) supplied three apiece.
"There is a lot of congruence, especially in the number 10 position, if you think about Phil can play there, you think about Jude, you think about Morgan Rogers, who played fantastic for us in this position," Tuchel said of his options.
"You have Cole Palmer, you have Morgan Gibbs-White, so there is a lot of players and there is the chance that we will not take everyone.
"Not because we don't like them, 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, 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."
Tuchel said the five players listed above are unlikely to all make the cut when he names his squad, though he added Foden's versatility may work in his favour.
"If you're a unique player, you can play both positions – I think he can play the nine, he can play the 10, it gives him an advantage to compete for both positions.
"For Man City he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as an eight.
"But again, I see a very low percentage that we take five number 10s into a tournament. I don't see how this will help."
Allez_
0
this Tuchel and xabi alonso are peacing me of they think maybe they own football
Pissing*
Allez_
0
this Tuchel and xabi alonso are peacing me of they think maybe they own football
Possible me off *
Allez_
1
Whoever play, Jude must be behind the Kane always. He is more effective than other mids.
If Foden were a RM player you’d say same thing about him Facts and don’t argue
Jobayer_Hossain
0
Whoever play, Jude must be behind the Kane always. He is more effective than other mids.
blacknight8235IN
0
Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane are undisputed picks for England , only injuries can keep any of them out. A fit Cole Palmer will also come in, certainly not an automatic starter. Good players like Morgan Rogers and Gibbs White will miss out due to congestion in their position. One of Elliott Anderson and Wharton will be selected. Completing the back will be a puzzle because of fitness issues, an injury free Reece James will take the number 2 position, Arnold can deputize, I see Shaw as an option at number 3. There is also extreme competition at both sides of the wings, Gordon, Rashford, Madueke, Bowen etc. Upfront, a reliable deputy for Kane may be a weak point, Tony, Watkins are options. So from a general look England has a contender force, they may only lack the cutting edge experience that has been their problem for too long
Where is Saka as a starter Saka is a starter as well
Bicamrstyz
0
this Tuchel and xabi alonso are peacing me of they think maybe they own football
lizdeinsy
0
Gibbs white, Rogers Gordon arent better than Foden. Mister you have to find a way to get the best out of him . You havent called up Loftus Cheeks or Tammy Abraham these players need a chance especially Abraham who has played in multiple leagues and can give you something different.
komacnopsy
0
why? When they have been playing all these years
where did they get to all these years?
Vawbmnrst
0
[image]
skelly at left back
rimadmnuyz
1
why? When they have been playing all these years
dotcdlmrt
1
Spot on Mr Tuchel. National team selection means you take the best players in each position. If players are moved around they become average and it does not help when you have specialists there. That's why Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes made English football very poor. Cramping similar players in a team may win a game but definitely not a major tournament. The best 10, the best 6, the best winger etc. This nonsense about versatility is a compromise where a specialist player cannot be found or is injured, otherwise pick the best for each position and drop the rest
vumaiklrsz
0
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
Tuchel said in this current setup, meaning the new formation he’s adopting.
IAmShakur
0
Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane are undisputed picks for England , only injuries can keep any of them out. A fit Cole Palmer will also come in, certainly not an automatic starter. Good players like Morgan Rogers and Gibbs White will miss out due to congestion in their position. One of Elliott Anderson and Wharton will be selected. Completing the back will be a puzzle because of fitness issues, an injury free Reece James will take the number 2 position, Arnold can deputize, I see Shaw as an option at number 3. There is also extreme competition at both sides of the wings, Gordon, Rashford, Madueke, Bowen etc. Upfront, a reliable deputy for Kane may be a weak point, Tony, Watkins are options. So from a general look England has a contender force, they may only lack the cutting edge experience that has been their problem for too long
Good points but Konsa and Foden are not undisputed picks, Saka is and at center back I think it will be a call between Konsa or Stones
IAmShakur
0
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
Foden has played for England on the left many times with little impact
lodeiotuyz
0
Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane are undisputed picks for England , only injuries can keep any of them out. A fit Cole Palmer will also come in, certainly not an automatic starter. Good players like Morgan Rogers and Gibbs White will miss out due to congestion in their position. One of Elliott Anderson and Wharton will be selected. Completing the back will be a puzzle because of fitness issues, an injury free Reece James will take the number 2 position, Arnold can deputize, I see Shaw as an option at number 3. There is also extreme competition at both sides of the wings, Gordon, Rashford, Madueke, Bowen etc. Upfront, a reliable deputy for Kane may be a weak point, Tony, Watkins are options. So from a general look England has a contender force, they may only lack the cutting edge experience that has been their problem for too long
and Lord Maguire?
Lesabnou
1
foden hasnt done enough to even be on that list anyway
kennically
0
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
The same reason why the English team find it difficult to make any remarkable impact in the recent time. The coach has a distinctive way of playing and should only pick the players who he think can fit in well.
greenshoes
0
ney bappe messi, waste money.
AFerGTYQ3198
2
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
And what have they achieved playing together ? 😒 Same Foden that went to Euro as EPL best player but couldn’t do anything and always starting. This is not Southgate team . This is Tuchel team and let him do what he has to do .
zesbclmopz
2
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
are they specialist in those positions.. Kane playing 9 nd 10 which position would u prefer him as a coach
TheMentor
0
So saka should be the goalkeeper I guess
Saka is the first choice on the right wing of course
Kepabeks
2
yambcklrsu
3
This England team is the one who distract our star boy Phil, it was a good thing when he don't get a call up...
Yumbcnrstu
0
When France won the first World Cup the coach didn’t pick the two best players. Cantona and Ginola.
Mokeinpst
2
I don't understand Tuchel at times. The three are capable of playing in three separate positions. Kane can play as a nine, Jude as a ten, and Foden as either right or left winger. They have been playing in those positions for their respective clubs, so nothing is strange. I believe this is an early excuse for dropping one of them from his WC squad, and I think, Foden would be the skapegoat.
Kelvlewin17
0
Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane are undisputed picks for England , only injuries can keep any of them out. A fit Cole Palmer will also come in, certainly not an automatic starter. Good players like Morgan Rogers and Gibbs White will miss out due to congestion in their position. One of Elliott Anderson and Wharton will be selected. Completing the back will be a puzzle because of fitness issues, an injury free Reece James will take the number 2 position, Arnold can deputize, I see Shaw as an option at number 3. There is also extreme competition at both sides of the wings, Gordon, Rashford, Madueke, Bowen etc. Upfront, a reliable deputy for Kane may be a weak point, Tony, Watkins are options. So from a general look England has a contender force, they may only lack the cutting edge experience that has been their problem for too long
So saka should be the goalkeeper I guess
loceimnptz
2
Obviously, you're working towards a monumental failure.
fozilmrst
0
Tuchel what you mean that Jude Bellingham Kene and Foden can't play together did know what you're doing
Lol haha
TheMentor
4
Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane are undisputed picks for England , only injuries can keep any of them out. A fit Cole Palmer will also come in, certainly not an automatic starter. Good players like Morgan Rogers and Gibbs White will miss out due to congestion in their position. One of Elliott Anderson and Wharton will be selected. Completing the back will be a puzzle because of fitness issues, an injury free Reece James will take the number 2 position, Arnold can deputize, I see Shaw as an option at number 3. There is also extreme competition at both sides of the wings, Gordon, Rashford, Madueke, Bowen etc. Upfront, a reliable deputy for Kane may be a weak point, Tony, Watkins are options. So from a general look England has a contender force, they may only lack the cutting edge experience that has been their problem for too long
teubdnpsz
0
Tuchel what you mean that Jude Bellingham Kene and Foden can't play together did know what you're doing
Gannymalta
0
Why not? Does one stop scoring because the other is scoring or failing to a score. It's your game plan Tuchel. As far as you are not missing out on crafty and winning combination because of your fixed reasoning. "They all play on same position, same style" cannot be bought. They are all young lads except for Kane. They can flexibly work together somehow, that is if you are flexible to use cleverly
Jehbcelotz
0
Doesn’t matter who they chose to lost the semi final
yeteikorst
1