Thomas Tuchel has outlined exactly how he plans to use Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, following the announcement of the latest England squad for matches against Serbia and Albania.
The Three Lions boss made a number of key calls, leaving some incredibly talented players at home. Ollie Watkins and Morgan Gibbs-White were just two names excluded from the next international break, but there were returns for both Foden and Jude Bellingham.
Figuring out how to fit both players into the same team proved to be a big issue for Tuchel's predecessor, Gareth Southgate. He often resorted to playing one of the two out of position as he attempted to shoe-horn them both in, with Foden typically playing out wide.
Although the Man City star has played on the wing in several games, he is most effective when playing through the middle for both club and country. He has demonstrated as much so far this season, scoring four goals and assisting teammates three times in 13 matches.
Tuchel Outlines Plan for Foden
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the latest England squad announcement.
World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - England Squad Announcement - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - November 7, 2025 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the squad announcement Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Working out how to get the best out of Foden and Bellingham will be a big task for Tuchel going into the 2026 World Cup. And the German outlined his plans for both players in his latest press conference after the squad's announcement.
Reflecting on Foden's performance during Man City's 4-1 win against Borussia Dortmund, where the 25-year-old scored twice, Tuchel believes that the England international is most effective when playing through the middle. He said: "Where he played against Dortmund was where I see him the strongest.
"He's close to the opponents’ box, a mix between a 9 and a 10. For me, Phil scores and assists more from the 18-yard box, where he scored against Dortmund. He's on the half-turn, he assists, he's in the pockets.
"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, and maybe not anymore. He should have a central role. That brings out his strengths the most. So he will contribute as a 9½, 10½ position, very fluid, but in the middle of the pitch to be close to the box."
Check out Tuchel's full answer below:
Foden to Compete With Bellingham for Number 10 Role
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham with Manchester City's Phil Foden with the Champions League.
Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 19, 2025 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham in action with Manchester City's Phil Foden REUTERS/Susana Vera
Bellingham and Foden will both have points to prove to Tuchel in the upcoming matches against Serbia and Albania, with places in the World Cup squad potentially at stake. The England manager has stated that he believes that the Real Madrid ace's best position is also attacking midfield, meaning that he will be competing with Foden for the starting berth, along with the likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Gibbs-White and several others.
"Jude comes back as a number 10," he said. "That's his best position. 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. He scores tap-ins. He scores inside the six-yard box, which is very unusual.
"It seems sometimes easy goals, but to arrive in this position, in the right timing, in the right moment, is a key strength. That’s one of his outstanding qualities. So we will try to find a space for him as a 10, to arrive in these 9 positions and score for us."