England: Thomas Tuchel finds Harry Kane alternative 'solution' as forgotten star shines in new position

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·14 novembre 2025

England: Thomas Tuchel finds Harry Kane alternative 'solution' as forgotten star shines in new position

Three Lions eased past Serbia on Thursday

Thomas Tuchel may have admitted he is still on the lookout for his ideal understudy to Harry Kane, but the option he trialled in England’s 2-0 victory over Serbia might well prove to be the solution that wins out ahead of the World Cup.

OneFootball Video

Phil Foden’s 25 minutes off the bench, playing as a false nine, was the latest in a very long line of Kane deputies tried over the past five or so years. The likes of Patrick Bamford, Tammy Abraham, Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins had varying degrees of success there. Tuchel had another trick up his sleeve.

Foden plays predominantly as a No8 or a No10 for City these days and has never really clicked in international football, typically used as a winger for his national team and only ever an England goalscorer on four occasions.

But his cameo at Wembley in the false nine position boded well for his chances of edging Aston Villa's Watkins out and proving the chosen Kane foil.

Foden came on at the same time as the returning Jude Bellingham and the fact Bellingham operated as quite a deep No10 allowed Foden space to work in and did not cramp his style.

New position: Phil Foden

The FA via Getty Images

The idea of using Foden as a false nine was conceived by Tuchel “several months ago”, a way of changing England’s shape slightly, making them less predictable, keeping their attacking threat up if, for whatever reason, Kane is not fit or needs a rest. The England captain as No9 is patently Plan A, according to Tuchel, “in the shape of his life”.

When Chelsea manager, Tuchel came up against City teams where Pep Guardiola would occasionally use Foden as a false nine. “It was really tough,” Tuchel recalled at Wembley, “with his little movements, counter-movements, little runs. I wanted to see him in the middle of the traffic.”

Foden fitted in well, completed ten out of ten accurate passes, almost scored a header from a Jordan Henderson cross.

With the Wembley night at risk of petering out, Bellingham won possession and fed Foden. The 25-year-old had acres of space to exploit and duly galloped forward, sliding wide left to Eberechi Eze at the perfect movement, Eze making it 2-0 with a sumptuous first-time finish. Foden with the assist, impacting the game.

It was one of the disappointments of Gareth Southgate’s largely successful reign as England manager that he never did quite work out how to get the best out of Foden.

Returning hero: Jude Bellingham

The FA via Getty Images

On raw talent, Foden is one of England’s most talented players — perhaps their single most — and yet taking the ‘raw’ out of the equation is the pressing point and explained why Tuchel tried experiment. There was a purpose to Foden, less restricted than when on the wing — a different sort of No9 but potent nonetheless.

“It was a good game from him,” Tuchel said. “His first and second touches are right — all his movements are a joy to watch. He can play against any opponent in this position. I like to have him in the centre, surrounded with close connections with other players. He did well.”

England fly to Tirana for Sunday’s final qualifier against Albania now and Tuchel will surely be minded to give Foden more minutes in that false nine role. Kane does not need the full 90, there are no other strikers in the squad, and, more importantly, here is another dead-rubber free-hit that can be put to good use further assessing whether Foden really is Kane’s perfect understudy.

“It's amazing to be back,” Foden said after his first appearance since March. “The smile is back.

“I thought I did well, created some chances. Overall, I have to be happy with the impact I did. I was happy to come on as a false nine. Maybe that will get the best out of me. Only time will tell.”

Albania on Sunday should be used as a chance to run the experiment once more, especially because Tuchel says he also has a few more attacking ideas up his sleeve for the March and June camps ahead. This idea appears to work.