England manager Thomas Tuchel has publicly discussed the possibility of deploying Jude Bellingham as a forward, specifically as a potential alternative to Harry Kane in the No 9 role. The comments come as Tuchel assesses his squad depth, acknowledging the need for tactical flexibility should the need arise to rotate or replace his primary striker.

Despite the exploration of new options, Tuchel emphasized that Harry Kane remains the central figure of the England attack. Following Kane’s recent performance in the Nations League—where he scored in a 2-0 victory over Czechia to bring his international tally to 87 goals in 123 appearances—Tuchel expressed strong support for the 33-year-old. The head coach stated that he expects Kane to continue playing at the highest level for another decade and anticipates he will reach the milestone of 100 international goals in the near future.

While the prospect of life without Kane is not currently a pressing concern for the coaching staff, Tuchel’s identification of Bellingham as a striking option highlights a strategic shift toward versatility. The Guardian reports that the search for cover up front is a proactive measure to ensure the team is prepared for various scenarios, though there is no immediate indication that Kane will be displaced from his starting position.