Ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Serbia, Tuchel wondered whether Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could all play in the same team.
There is an argument that this trio is England’s most gifted, but with both Bellingham and Foden favoring central roles, one – or both – could miss out. Both Bellingham and Foden have been recalled this month after missing recent internationals, a period in which other potential contenders to become England’s creative catalyst have impressed.
With competition for a role fiercer than ever, we compared England’s options for the number 10 position.
Judas Bellingham
- Minutes played: 662
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 1
- 165 minutes per goal or assist
- 44 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per match: 1.63
The thought of an England team without Jude Bellingham would have been scoffed at not so long ago. Bellingham’s meteoric rise from champion to Champions League winner has placed him firmly at the forefront of England’s ambitions.
Shoulder surgery in the summer has affected his start to the season, but a winning goal in El Clásico once again underlined his status as a big-match player. He wasn’t always at top level at the 2024 European Championship, but scored crucial goals against Serbia and Slovakia within moments. Bellingham brings presence, physicality and goal threat.
Jude Bellingham with England. ���� pic.twitter.com/llZEuXtIu1
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 11, 2025
Phil Foden
- Minutes played: 1088
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 3
- 155 minutes per goal or assist
- 28.6 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per game: 1.2
Foden was recalled this month for the first time since March. The Manchester City midfielder has been rewarded for an upturn in form following a challenging 2024/25 season that saw the 25-year-old drop dramatically from his PFA Player of the Year level a season earlier.
Foden’s skills in tight areas of the pitch and his flexibility are appealing, although Tuchel has said he is reluctant to include him in the squad. Much of Foden’s England career has been spent in an unfavorable wide role, with mixed results. He scored just four times in 46 games for the Three Lions. His last goal came in September 2023, a run of 18 caps without finding the net.
Morgan Rogers
- Minutes played: 1300
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 3
- 325 minutes per goal or assist
- 86.6 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per match: 1.42
In the absence of Bellingham and Foden, Morgan Rogers has filled England’s duties as Tuchel’s advanced midfielder. The jersey should probably be the 23-year-old’s jersey to lose given recent results and his own impressive performances.
Rogers has collectively recovered from a difficult start to the season for Aston Villa, although his impact is not easy to quantify. He is a powerful ball carrier and adds a real threat in transition and the ability to shield and protect possession. At the top level, where England have struggled to retain the ball in the biggest games, that could be a real weapon.
📊 Most Premier League assists in 2025:
◉ 9 – Morgan Rogers
◉ 8 – The King’s Mercy
◉ 8 – Antonius Elanga
◉ 7 – Mo Salah
◉ 7 – Martin Odegaard pic.twitter.com/7E3w0vHWAe— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 27, 2025
Cole Palmer
- Minutes played: 235
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 0
- 117.5 minutes per goal or assist
- 102 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per game: 1.14
Cole Palmer’s start to the season was decimated by a recurring groin problem. The 23-year-old has played just 235 minutes for Chelsea in all competitions, hoping he can return after the November break.
Palmer is yet to put together a consistent run in an England shirt but has shown he can deliver when called upon. An excellent goal from the bench in the Euro 2024 final showcased his temperament when the heat was on.
God bless you
- Minutes played: 1057
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 2
- 264 minutes per goal or assist
- 117 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per match: 1.36
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace this summer, a move designed to take the midfielder to the next level. After blossoming as the key player in south London, he has now joined an Arsenal team in the hunt for the biggest trophies.
Mikel Arteta is yet to find the very best role for the 27-year-old, despite some bright moments. The sooner he settles in the Emirates, the better his chances of catching a plane next summer.
Morgan Gibbs White
- Minutes played: 1287
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 3
- 214 minutes per goal or assist
- 85.8 minutes per key card
- Successful dribbles per match: 0.62
Morgan Gibbs-White was left out of the England squad this month, although Tuchel contacted the Nottingham Forest midfielder to explain the decision. A challenging start to the campaign at the City Ground, with three permanent managers, has not been conducive to finding his best form.
That said, only Foden makes this list with his six goals at the back, while only the Manchester City midfielder and Bellingham average more key passes per 90.
Read – Five forgotten England internationals in need of January moves
See more – The best cheap wonderkids to log into Football Manager 2026
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