England manager Thomas Tuchel has brought Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden back into the national squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. However, the recall comes with a clear message: their places at next summer's tournament are far from guaranteed.
Proving Their Worth After Exclusion
The return of both players follows a period of reflection after being omitted from last month's squad. Jude Bellingham watched from the sidelines as England secured their World Cup qualification without him, while Morgan Rogers impressed in the attacking midfield role. This exclusion appears to have had the desired effect, with Bellingham responding by scoring crucial goals for Real Madrid against elite opposition like Barcelona and Juventus.
Tuchel emphasised that there is no personal issue with the 22-year-old midfielder. "There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character," the German stated. "Jude just has the edge. You need a certain edge to reach the heights that he reached." The manager's challenge is now to channel that competitive fire appropriately, ensuring it is directed at opponents rather than causing disruption within the squad.
Clarity on Positions and Roles
Tuchel provided explicit clarity on how he intends to use his creative talents, addressing past tactical uncertainties that plagued England at Euro 2024. Phil Foden will be deployed centrally in a No. 9 or No. 10 role, close to captain Harry Kane, rather than being shunted out to the wing.
"It does not make sense to tell Phil: 'We want you on the pitch but there's no space on your best position, can you play left wing? Can you play right wing?'" Tuchel explained. "Phil will play in the No 9-10ish position, in the middle of the pitch. I have this fantasy about him for a long time. I think it suits him the most."
This formation appears to rule out using multiple number 10s simultaneously, a failed experiment from the previous European Championship. The squad also sees new faces, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott receiving his first call-up as a number 8, while Adam Wharton returns to compete for the defensive midfield position.
The Kane and Bellingham Connection
A significant focus for Tuchel will be improving the on-pitch relationship between Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Statistics reveal a startling lack of connection: in 35 games playing together for England, the duo have combined for a goal on just one occasion.
This disconnect was particularly evident during Euro 2024, where Kane and Bellingham passed to each other only once during the draws with Denmark and Slovenia. Tuchel placed the responsibility for fixing this issue squarely on the players themselves, indicating that individual talent must translate into effective partnerships.
With qualification already secured, these matches against Serbia and Albania present an opportunity for experimentation. Tuchel hinted he might even use Foden as a false nine, testing options beyond the irreplaceable Kane. For Bellingham and Foden, these fixtures represent a critical audition. Strong performances could cement their World Cup ambitions, while anything less may see them watching from the sidelines once again.
