Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham have been welcomed back into the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for the no-pressure World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Serbia
Thomas Tuchel England Manager speaks to the media
Thomas Tuchel has recalled Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Thomas Tuchel recalled Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to the England squad - and then told them they will be competing for one starting place at the World Cup.
Bellingham and Foden were left out of the England squad in September because of injury and loss of form. And the Three Lions boss stayed loyal to this squad in October to the disappointment of the Real Madrid star.
But with England now qualified for the World Cup, both have been recalled for the final qualifiers against Serbia at Wembley next Thursday and Albania on November 16. Bellingham has returned to form for the Spanish team with three goals in his last four games. And Foden showed his old form with two goals in the Champions League in midweek.
Tuchel said he saw both stars playing in a central role - and said of Foden: “I don't see him as a winger at the moment.” Bellingham played as a second striker at Anfield in the Champions League in midweek.
Tuchel favourite Morgan Rogers has played the No.10 in recent games and remains an important part of the squad. So when captain Harry Kane is fit, it leaves Bellingham, Foden and Rogers vying for the central playmaking role.
Asked about the recalls of Bellingham and Foden at a press conference at Wembley on Friday, the German said: “We are delighted that they are back. I think the contribution of both of them to their clubs lately was immense. They play regularly, of course, and they play a big part and a big role in the success of Real and City's matches lately. They score regularly decisive goals. So we're delighted that they are in shape and form and back with us.
"Jude comes back as a No.10. I think that's his best position. And I think one of his key strengths is to score from this position, and he has the ability to arrive and to score goals that a No.9 would score. So he scores tap-ins. He scores one touch tap-ins inside the six-yard box which is very unusual.
"It seems easy, but to arrive in these positions in the right timing, in the right moment, is a key strength and is one of his key qualities and outstanding qualities. So we will try to find space there for him as a No. 10 to arrive in these No.9 positions and score for us.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is back in the England squad for the first time since June
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“Phil, where he played now lately against Dortmund to us where I see him the strongest. Close to the opponent's box, maybe a mix between the nine and the 10 close to the opponent's box. For me, Phil scores and assists more from the 18-yard box, where he scored against Dortmund. He's on the half turn and he assists, he's in the pockets.
"So I think the main thing with Phil is that he gets a role in the central part of the pitch. I don't see him as a winger at the moment. Maybe not anymore. He should have a central role. I think that brings out his strengths the most.
"We talked about this already with him. So he will contribute, as a nine-and-a half, 10-and-a-half ish and position, very fluid, but in the middle of the pitch to be to be close to the box, be able to assist and and to score like he did against Dortmund.”
Phil Foden was electric for Manchester City in their win over Borussia Dortmund
Phil Foden was electric for Manchester City in their win over Borussia Dortmund
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Ollie Watkins has been left out from the last squad along with Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Myles Lewis-Skelly and James Trafford. It leaves Kane as the only natural No.9 although Tuchel insisted Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford could also play that role as well as Foden.
Asked if he had considered resting the England captain, the former Bayern Munich coach said: “Yeah, but not in November. I'm getting the fact that I know that he has a break in winter. He's in the nice position to play in Germany.
"And I think that suits him very well to have this little break given where he is in his career. And, that's why, he has no excuses for the, for the next, for the next two matches. No concerns over here.”
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