{"id":209,"date":"2026-05-06T12:58:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/worldcupwire\/?p=209"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:52:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:52:35","slug":"englands-attacking-midfield-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/worldcupwire\/2026\/05\/06\/englands-attacking-midfield-dilemma\/","title":{"rendered":"England facing an attacking dilemma in midfield"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of England\u2019s likely starting eleven almost pick themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know that, unless injury strikes, Harry Kane is up front. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan Pickford is in goal. Declan Rice will be in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others in the likely best team are predictable, but not guaranteed; Bukayo Saka, despite an injury-ridden season, is almost definitely playing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elliot Anderson is emerging as Rice\u2019s likely accomplice in stealing possession back. Questions remain regarding the centre backs, full backs, and the left winger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these cases, many candidates are in strong form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester City\u2019s Nico O\u2019 Reilly and Marc Guehi (despite his blunder over in Merseyside the other night) seem to be becoming national team regulars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention on Marcus Rashford in Barcelona has quietened down as his output has done the same, but the former Manchester United winger has usually brought something positive to his national team, and the same can be said for Newcastle\u2019s Anthony Gordon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, which is no mean feat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The true problem, however, lies in the identity of the third midfielder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The situation is certainly bizarre, as the known, household names have underperformed for almost all of the 25\/26 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jude Bellingham has scored inconsistently and been poor for Real Madrid consistently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cole Palmer has been injured on and off, failing to answer questions regarding 24\/25 and 25\/26 being disappointing sequels to his phenomenal breakout season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, over in Manchester, Phil Foden is experiencing a similar problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He too set the Premier League alight, but his current issue is not injuries, but rather falling out of favour with his manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst thing to happen for an already-struggling Foden was the arrival of Frenchman Rayan Cherki, a player who has taken no time to adjust to the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The narrative going into the Euros in 2024 was that these three are fantastic, world-class attacking midfielders, and that Gareth Southgate had a selection problem on his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, Thomas Tuchel faces the same issue: who has been the best (but of a not great bunch)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, hyperbole is rife in the discussion. On their day, they are brilliant, and their individual achievements cannot be taken away or undermined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It cannot be ignored, however, just how unconvincing each has looked recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should new options, such as Aston Villa\u2019s Morgan Rogers, or Nottingham Forest\u2019s Morgan Gibbs-White, be considered?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do England even need to play with a number 10?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could Ollie Watkins partner Kane? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Tuchel play an awful-to-watch 5-4-1, winning each round 1-0 or on penalties?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us look first at Real Madrid\u2019s Jude Bellingham, who – if we are being truly honest – is likely to be starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bellingham\u2019s all-round game is a unique trait his competition lacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While obviously capable of playing a traditional central midfield role, Bellingham\u2019s true potential was realised when Carlo Ancelotti played him as a bizarre box-to-box striker, leading his side to their 15th Champions League title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His spot in the starting XI at the Euros was decided then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This performance has almost made him invulnerable to criticism from pundits, although this might be due to playing abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many of those speaking about England games watch Real Madrid regularly, and see a poor display from him? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Palmer and Foden are eaten alive by the Super Sunday roundtable every week (deservedly so, for what it is worth).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Bellingham\u2019s tenure abroad has made him almost invisible in the eyes of critics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jude Bellingham (credit: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0 https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His 25\/26 season has been his lowest in terms of goal involvements since 20\/21, with a measly six goals and five assists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his defence, the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund man has been battling injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, during 23\/24, he often played with his shoulder strapped up, delaying surgery so he could see out the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The injury was actually sustained at the start of his final season in Germany, and he only underwent surgery almost three years later in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in 2025, Bellingham said: \u201cI didn\u2019t want to have to disrupt the year that the team was having, that I was having, to miss three months and maybe change the trajectory of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bellingham brings obvious quality to the midfield, provided we get the 2024 version of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England\u2019s sole goalscorer in their defeat to Spain, Cole Palmer, has looked a shadow of himself in the Premier League. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme of injuries continues with Chelsea\u2019s primary playmaker, but how much of a justification – or, perhaps, an excuse – can they be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmer\u2019s appearances have often been off the bench this campaign, and he has only begun finishing full 90-minute matches in recent weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His lack of presence is a trend that casts some doubt over an appearance in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, his last time playing in a tournament over the summer in the US saw success come his way, culminating in a surprising victory over Paris Saint-Germain and an awkward trophy lift featuring Donald Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cole Palmer (credit: Crusadaer, CC BY 4.0 https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flashes of brilliance are still there for Palmer; his numbers on ball progression and key passes are reminiscent of Bellingham\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His ability from the penalty spot, while helpful in the dreaded circumstance of a shootout, is inferior to Kane\u2019s, so it becomes somewhat of an irrelevant point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of an unconvincing, disappointing season, Palmer will likely be returning with the England squad to a major tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foden is perhaps the worst offender of these three, with many predicting no plane ticket will be given to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bellingham and Palmer have produced big moments for their country during the previous international tournament, something that Foden\u2019s CV lacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foden has been riding the bench in the major games this season, watching others such as Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo steal the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in April, Guardiola said: \u201cIn 2024 he was the best player in England in the four in a row season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe is the same player and sometimes he has to realise \u2018Now I have to come up and be stronger.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some might say that Foden has never been utilised correctly in the national setup, and that the way Manchester City plays contrasts that of an England team that usually meet for a handful of games a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The argument is that Foden is (or, was) a key element of Pep Guardiola\u2019s side, occupying a role similar to that of a second striker in his Player of the Season-winning year, whereas he is but another cog in Thomas Tuchel\u2019s wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has often been forced onto the wing, a role which he competed with either Saka or Rashford for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a competition he has come out consistently on the bottom of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Phil Foden (credit: Steffen Pr\u00f6\u00dfdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Foden was then given opportunities in the 10 role; in which he, again, failed to impress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a similar conundrum that Southgate faced with Trent Alexander-Arnold in his time as England boss: the player is undeniably talented, but there are too many variables that must go right to accommodate him, that maybe it is just not worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander-Arnold\u2019s case is one which Tuchel may not even bother looking into, with Foden looking more and more likely to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what do you do as the England manager? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some might say it is time to look into some other options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Success has been found by Aston Villa\u2019s Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White, two players experiencing great individual seasons, and both with genuine arguments for inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rogers has recorded 20 goal contributions so far, and his Europa League rival Gibbs-White has 23 to his name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rogers could even make an appearance on the wing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While football is about more than simple numbers, their form is much more promising than those previously mentioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These might be the two names that uncomfortable England fans shout at their television to be brought on in a tense 1-1 draw with 30 minutes to go, much like Palmer was last time out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuchel\u2019s choices for international games have sparked debate, such as calling up players such as Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah and omitting Alexander-Arnold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wildcard choice for his attacking midfielder might not be out of the question this summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many of England\u2019s likely starting eleven almost pick themselves. You know that, unless injury strikes, Harry Kane is up front. Jordan Pickford is in goal. Declan Rice will be in the middle of the park. Others in the likely best team are predictable, but not guaranteed; Bukayo Saka, despite an injury-ridden season, is almost definitely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":396,"featured_media":271,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\nEngland facing an attacking dilemma in midfield - World Cup Wire<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/worldcupwire\/2026\/05\/06\/englands-attacking-midfield-dilemma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"England facing an attacking dilemma in midfield - World Cup Wire\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many of England\u2019s likely starting eleven almost pick themselves. 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