Tuchel Prioritizes Team-Fit Players, Will Focus on Assessing Foden This Time

According to reports, England manager Thomas Tuchel will use this international break to assess Manchester City player Phil Foden.

Foden has missed out on previous England call-ups, but Tuchel is satisfied with his recent performances—making every move of his in London these days and in this weekend’s match against Albania highly watched, especially given the fierce competition for his position. Notably, Tuchel is clear that Foden’s role for England is not on the wing. Instead, he is a number 10 or can play as a false nine when Harry Kane is absent.

To secure a spot in England’s starting lineup, Foden must outperform Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham; to retain his place in the squad, he needs to edge past Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White, and the returning Cole Palmer (after injury).

Just last year, Foden missing the World Cup seemed impossible—back then, England selected the best players first and then built the tactical system around them. Tuchel, however, is different: he picks the squad that best fits the team, regardless of whether it includes stars like Foden, Bellingham, or Palmer. Creating an atmosphere of "a sense of urgency and motivation for everyone" has been his biggest achievement in 10 months in charge.

Foden made his England debut five years ago and has earned 45 caps, but his performances at this level have regressed. Tuchel is well aware of Foden’s modest stats, but what concerns him more than the numbers is the lack of a bright smile on Foden’s face. In Tuchel’s view, Foden possesses the "childlike pure joy" needed for football, yet this joy disappears when he plays for England. Tuchel hopes to identify the root cause this week—whether it’s the team’s atmosphere, positional arrangement, tactical instructions, or other technical factors. He believes playing Foden in the central area will clarify his responsibilities.

In England’s strongest lineup, if Kane features, the starting number 10 spot will be a choice between Foden and Bellingham, not both; if Morgan Rogers can hold onto his current starting position, neither may make the first XI. Foden must prove during the training camp that he is a committed and mentally positive teammate.