England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, is contemplating a tactical shift ahead of the Nations League match against Greece, potentially deploying Jude Bellingham in the false nine role—something he has successfully done at Real Madrid. With current captain Harry Kane likely out due to an ankle injury, Carsley is assessing various options for the front line, weighing the possibility of starting Bellingham alongside attacking talents like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon. Although Bellingham has not yet scored for Real Madrid this season, he came off a strong last campaign with 27 goals combining both club and international play, which included periods where he excelled as a false nine.
Carsley’s willingness to trial Bellingham in the false nine position may surprise fans who expect more traditional forward choices like Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke. Watkins has been in excellent form for Aston Villa, scoring an important goal in England’s semi-final victory during the European Championship, while Solanke has netted three goals for Tottenham. However, Carsley hints at the depth and flexibility of England’s striking options, acknowledging Kane’s continued dominance but asserting that the squad can adapt with alternative plans when necessary. He stated, “We’ve got plenty of options in that position but obviously Harry’s been the outstanding player for so long for us now.”
This upcoming match against Greece is significant for Carsley as he seeks to secure the permanent England manager position. A successful implementation of the false nine strategy with Bellingham could help synthesize a cohesive attacking unit from star players like Foden, Palmer, and Bellingham. Such a tactical approach has weighed heavily on Carsley’s mind, allowing him to explore various combinations and relationships among players to foster effective teamwork. This challenge mirrors earlier dilemmas faced by Gareth Southgate, particularly in his attempts to integrate Bellingham, Foden, and Palmer into a coordinated setup during the European Championship.
Reflecting on Southgate’s struggles, Carsley aims to evade a similar fate by utilizing creative strategies to enhance his young stars’ impacts on the pitch. Palmer, who recently finished ahead of Bellingham and Saka in the voting for England’s men’s player of the year, is expected to play a larger role under Carsley following impressive contributions at Chelsea. Carsley has voiced praise for Palmer’s ability to thrive under pressure and his ability to deliver statistically, indicating the importance of player form in his selection process.
England’s schedule is demanding, facing Finland in Helsinki just three days after the Greece match, prompting Carsley to consider heavy rotation within the squad. His goal is to refine tactics that maximize his key players’ strengths and ensure that the team remains competitive amidst fixture congestion. Carsley specifically recognized Phil Foden’s exceptional talent and versatility, expressing a desire to position him strategically to optimize his ability to influence games. Overall, Carsley’s innovative approach during this interim period highlights his ambition to build a distinctive and effective attacking strategy for England.
