The days of England trying to shoehorn their best players into a formation are gone, says boss Thomas Tuchel, who confirmed Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are fighting for the number 10 shirt.
In previous England teams, the likes of Paul Scholes and Phil Foden have been played in unfamiliar roles but Tuchel thinks the structure comes first and then players are placed into it.
Rogers has occupied the central attacking role in recent England games and performed well but he now has the recalled Bellingham for competition.
Asked if the pair can play together, Tuchel said: “I don’t know. I guess so but not both in the same position obviously. Rather than finding a position for the best players to have them on the field, it is maybe better to put everyone in their best position and have competition.
“At the moment the competition is between the two of them. They are friends so it is a friendly competition. They don’t have to be enemies and hate each other. They are respectful and they fight for the same position.
“Can they play together? Yes, but in a different structure and now is not the moment to change the structure.”
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Anderson is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League
One man who doesn’t have to worry about his place is Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has thrived since being given an opportunity in the senior side.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, Tuchel added: “At the moment he is a key player for us and at the moment he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. That’s why he is with us and why he starts for us, because he deserves it.
“He is nothing but impressive and he has to keep on going. He is a very complete, mobile central midfielder and that’s what he shows but he has a long career ahead of him and there are no guarantees – at least not publicly, for the World Cup.
“It doesn’t help in November to give predictions and guarantees. It is about competition. It is elite football and Elliot at the moment is an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.
“It is a good mix and he fulfills his role in the best way possible. We are very happy with him.”
Tuchel has yet to get World Cup urge
England have qualified for the World Cup but the tournament is still seven months away and Tuchel was giving little away regarding his plans for the squad he intends to take to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I know quite a lot for tomorrow but May and June I don’t know so much,” the German explained.
“I hold myself back from knowing too much or pretending to know too much because so much can happen. Nobody wants injuries to happen but injuries can happen, players can pull out, players can drop in form and others can have form so I am very much open.
“I don’t feel the pressure and the World Cup urge at the moment. I just feel the excitement and pressure for tomorrow. It is step-by-step and the next step is Serbia tomorrow.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
