Perfect England team, Tuchel has a headache choosing who to play next to Kane

England finished their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in perfect fashion, topping Group K with 24 points, scoring 22 goals and conceding none, after a comfortable win over Albania. That achievement does not ease the big question for Thomas Tuchel: who will be the optimal piece to launch Harry Kane in the upcoming tournament?

The two wings determine the tempo: right and left backs

On the right flank, the picture is a contest between all-round strength and creativity. Reece James has a 52% success rate in one-on-one duels, three times higher than Trent Alexander-Arnold. That number opens up the possibility of better control of 1v1 situations when facing opponents pressing high.

On the other hand, Trent Alexander-Arnold — though not in the current squad — leads the way in terms of chance creation: 11 chances and xA 1.34. If Tuchel favours open passing and early crosses, this is a different tactical signature that Kyle Walker, with his vast experience but little creative promise, will find difficult to replicate.

On the left, the 52-year-old is caught between three camps: experience, fitness and potential. Luke Shaw brings the security of experience in major tournaments; Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly is a standout defensively and physically; and Myles Lewis-Skelly made his debut but losing his starting place at Arsenal could affect his chances. The choice here will determine how England manage the left flank: whether to prioritise closing down the flanks or pushing the tempo of attack.

Number 10: Jude Bellingham leads the way, the rest step in

Behind Kane, Jude Bellingham is the benchmark in efficiency. With a superior minutes played, he leads almost every key attacking metric: 18 chances created, 13 key passes and xA 2.48. Those numbers paint a picture of a No. 10 who can both run the line and create and amplify space for his teammates.

Morgan Rogers has impressed in terms of chance creation per 90 minutes, providing a spark plug when the team needs a change of pace. Phil Foden, after his Champions League exploits, is a quality addition if Tuchel wants to add more link between midfield and defence. Cole Palmer, despite his injury, is still a potential creative force when he returns.

Left wing to serve Kane: score or assist?

Bukayo Saka is almost certain to play on the right, pushing the big problem to the left flank: Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford or Eberechi Eze? Depending on the match context, Tuchel can prioritize the finisher or the unlocker.

In the group of attacking options, an Arsenal star stands out for his finishing ability: 3 goals in 288 minutes, xG 2.14. On the contrary, Marcus Rashford leads in creating opportunities with 11 situations, suitable for the scenario of needing to stretch the defense and serve Kane as a final destination.

Highlights from the campaign and competition

Tuchel's decision: balancing risk and reward

Behind the picture-perfect qualifying campaign are the identity-defining choices. On the flanks, Tuchel must balance risk management (marking, tackling) with the reward of creativity (splitting passes). In the middle, Bellingham provides the default solution to the No. 10 role, but the configuration around him — from a runner like Gordon, a playmaker like Rashford, or a versatile explosive point like Eze — will dictate England’s attacking profile.

Tuchel has had a “pleasant headache”. But to go far at the World Cup, the final choice will likely depend on his priorities: a sharp striker alongside Kane, or a consistent chance-creator. After the win in Albania, the hard work has only just begun.

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