Thomas Tuchel would have no problem playing Phil Foden as England’s centre-forward if Harry Kane is unavailable following the Manchester City striker’s surprise “false nine” performance against Serbia.
Just after the hour mark, Foden replaced England captain Kane and impressed as a No 9 – setting up Eberechi Eze’s 90th-minute goal in a 2-0 win, while creating another chance for the Arsenal striker, who hit the bar.
Much has been made of England’s lack of back-up striker to sign goalscorer Kane into the Three Lions squad for the November international break, but Tuchel believes he has another option in his deck.
“It’s absolutely an opportunity,” Tuchel said of whether Foden would get a chance in that role if something were to happen to Kane.
“If Phil stays fit, I have no problem (playing him as a No.9). I have some other options in mind that I don’t want to discuss in public.
Thomas Tuchel has lined up Phil Foden as the No.9
“Don’t forget we have Ollie Watkins and (Danny) Welbeck, (who are perhaps) more of a No. 9, also different options for Harry.”
“We have many options, but maybe it will be about who is fit, what we have in the team and how we share minutes, who we play and what we expect from the match.
Asked if Foden could even challenge Kane for a place if he continues his good form for City, Tuchel replied: “Well, it’s a big ask to challenge Harry at the moment – he’s in the form of his life. The attitude, the work rate, the quality and the results are just out of control, out of his world.
“But even here, maybe (for Phil) to be an accomplice alongside Harry and share some minutes in decisive matches.”
“I had an idea a few months ago, because I played against him in these positions, I had a feeling in the Premier League that he was really, really difficult with his little moves, counter-moves, little runs. City were so dominant in these little positions, in the pockets, on the half-turns. And he shot, he played one-twos, and he could assist him a little bit, so he runs the ball out to him.
“When we made a long list of 50, 60 players, of course, that was outstanding quality and I was hoping that maybe he came from the first camp and then he had a difficult time at City.”
“And now he’s back at City, he’s actually played a deeper role, almost as an eight. So we’ll see where this goes, but I wanted to see him close to the opposition box, I wanted to see him in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by a lot of players.”
Foden: The smile is back, the false nine could get the best of me
Speaking after the game, Foden admitted he had “done well” in the role and hoped the change of position could bring out the best in him in English colours.
“I thought I did well, created a few chances and unlucky not to put a couple away,” he told ITV Sport. “Overall, I have to be satisfied with the performance.
“I will play wherever the manager puts me. I can play in multiple positions and I was happy to come in as a false nine. I enjoyed it. Maybe it will bring out the best in me, only time will tell.”
“There are quality players all over the pitch. I know there is pressure on me to perform at Man City and I just have to keep my head down and earn my place. The smile is back.”
Analysis: Can Foden work up front for England?
Sam Blitz from Ski Sports at Wembley:
Thomas Tuchel’s tactical acumen came to the fore at Wembley.
With England struggling in the opening 25 minutes, he moved Kane deeper, pushed Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford further behind him and three minutes after a tactical touch-out time-out the Three Lions were in front.
But when Foden came out as a false nine, it showed just how complex Tuchel can be in his pursuit of success.
Foden appearing in that role isn’t really a surprise. He really does there is played there before for Man City – his 1,056 league minutes for Pep Guardiola’s side over the last four years make up almost a dozen 90-minute games.
Phil Foden’s minutes per position
Tuchel also mentioned the possibility of Foden being the number 9 in his pre-match press conference.
Tuchel has a problem with Kane dropping deep and Foden a natural midfielder – where is the threat at the back from a centre-forward?
Some will point out that the wide areas are the space for that – Saka and Eze scored against Serbia for example – but that makes England’s game plan more one-dimensional. For all England’s success in this group, they didn’t score before the 20th minute.
Yes, in some qualifiers they were against low blocks, which slows down the start of matches, and yet they managed to lead 3-0 at halftime. There was early destruction for Wales, but they were foolishly brave against this Three Lions attack at Wembley.
But England will face better opponents – and a better defence. They need something different off the bench. Tuchel has identified Watkins and Welbeck as more natural No.9 options who can be used as wildcards.
And if he can get that ‘Plan B’ centre-forward conundrum through Foden and another, he is one step closer to completing his England squad.