Thomas Tuchel’s England selection headache ahead of the 2026 World Cup has never been greater, with five outstanding players competing for the number 10 role behind Harry Kane this summer.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze are all good enough to start in that number 10 role for England, but they are all fighting to be the one player in that position.
The number 10 role is arguably the most important position in Thomas Tuchel’s England setup.
Whoever plays there will be responsible for unlocking defences and creating chances for Harry Kane.
Getting the decision right could be crucial to England’s chances of World Cup glory this summer.
Cole Palmer: Can He Nail Down The England Number 10 Role?
Cole Palmer has had a quieter season by his standards, but his quality is evident. However, he has only played 65 minutes under Thomas Tuchel for England.
The Chelsea star will be hoping to put his injury-stricken first half of the season behind him and find the form everyone knows he is capable of and cement his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England XI.
The goalscorer in England’s defeat to Spain in the 2024 Euro Final will be hoping to secure that number 10 role in England’s starting XI, but his competition is fierce.
He can find space between the lines and unlock tight defences. This will be key to England’s chances at the World Cup, where their attacking options are exceptional, so creating key chances will be vital this summer.
Chelsea have been hit and miss this season since new manager Liam Rosenior took over, so Cole Palmer hasn’t been able to find consistency in his football. He needs to find his form quickly if he is to be handed the number 10 shirt this summer for England.
Morgan Rogers: The Most Used Midfielder Under Thomas Tuchel
Morgan Rogers has played the most minutes of any midfielder for England this season, and only Marc Guehi has played more minutes in the whole squad. This shows Thomas Tuchel clearly trusts Rogers in that number 10 role.
His eight goals and five assists in the Premier League this season have helped Aston Villa compete for a top four finish. He has also been a key player in Aston Villa’s European progression.
Morgan Rogers is a strong choice for England with his ability to drive his team forward. Powerful running and ability to create chances and even score himself could put him firmly in the starting XI at the World Cup for Thomas Tuchel’s England.
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Jude Bellingham: The Cure To Thomas Tuchel’s England Selection Headache
Jude Bellingham could be Thomas Tuchel’s answer for the number 10 role this summer. He is a dependable member of the England squad and has performed consistently at the highest level.
Jude Bellingham has shown he can step up for England in big moments. He kept England in the Euros in 2024 with a special overhead kick against Slovakia and England can rely on him when it matters.
His ability on the ball and his powerful drives through midfield can propel England’s chances at the World Cup.
He is an all-rounder, he can create chances and can score too. He can also drop deeper and help defensively if England need a more compact structure in their midfield.
Thomas Tuchel did criticise Jude Bellingham early in his England reign, however, even suggesting his own mother thinks Jude Bellingham’s behaviour on the pitch can be ‘a bit repulsive.’
It seems like the dust has settled over that controversy, and Thomas Tuchel did apologise. He will now look to his Real Madrid star to help England bring the World Cup home for the first time since 1966.
Injury has sidelined Bellingham for a period this season, and his fitness ahead of the World Cup remains a concern.
If Tuchel cannot rely on him being fully fit, it only adds another layer to an already complicated selection decision. A fully fit Bellingham, though, could be the difference maker for England this summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s Toughest Decision
Thomas Tuchel’s England selection headache ahead of the 2026 World Cup is a fantastic problem for any manager at the highest level.
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham are the three standout options for that number 10 role, but Thomas Tuchel also has Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze at his disposal. Although for England, Phil Foden’s form has often been questioned and criticised.
England’s midfield depth this season is exceptional, giving Thomas Tuchel a wealth of options to choose from ahead of the summer.
Caution has to be applied despite these options. These are all big players who are worthy of starting regularly for England. Thomas Tuchel must be careful in his selections and man management to keep the morale high within the squad, where he is sure to upset players with his team selections at the 2026 World Cup.
Regardless of who he picks in that position, there is an array of talent and any option will enhance England’s chances of World Cup success this summer.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Visionhaus
Recording Date: 07.06.2025
