Thomas Tuchel's England decisions: Harry Kane role, Danny Welbeck's chance, and could Myles Lewis-Skelly solve problem?

Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad on Friday as the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign looms into view. England kick off with two home games at Wembley, against Albania and Latvia respectively. We delve into some of the data around Tuchel's big questions, namely Harry Kane's role, whether the German will rely on players he knows, and if there could be a surprise recall for Danny Welbeck.

Thomas Tuchel has had the proverbial stacked in-tray since taking over as England boss in January - but what are the most pressing issues he has to decide upon?

A starter for 10 might focus on Harry Kane's role, the skipper's possible understudies, and whether to enlist players Tuchel has already worked with.

As the German prepares to name his first squad on Friday - ahead of two Wembley World Cup qualification outings against Albania and Latvia - we explore some of these questions and more, with the help of the stats team at Opta...

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Kane's role

There seems little doubt that Harry Kane will be Tuchel's main man up top for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Despite the England skipper's laboured displays at Euro 2024, he has ripped things up again this term - even throwing himself into the Ballon d'Or conversation - and benefits from having been brought to Bayern Munich by Tuchel in 2023, and then spending a year working together.

However, what role will Tuchel set for Kane in his new England?

Comparing Kane's positioning this season vs last season for Bayern in the Bundesliga shows an interesting difference.

Last term under Tuchel, you can see a clear pattern of Kane touching the ball predominantly in the penalty area.

However, in 2024-25 so far under Vincent Kompany, it's a different story.

As the sprawling heat patch suggests, Kane has been operating much more in deeper areas this season, and - as the numbers show - this has resulted in one of his most prolific campaigns, with 43 goal involvements in 36 games in all competitions.

Has this move deeper been because of the running threats of Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala? And will Tuchel seek to mimic a system that seems to be getting the best out of Kane?

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The striking options

Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney were the duo who joined Kane in England's striking ranks at Euro 2024.

With Toney seemingly out of contention after a move to Saudi Arabia and Watkins having an up-and-down campaign, which other strikers could come into Tuchel's thinking?

One man excelling at the ripe old age of 34 is Brighton's Danny Welbeck. The ex-Manchester United forward, who has 16 goals in 42 England appearances, has not appeared for his country since 2018, but seems to have found a new lease of life under Fabian Hurzeler, as the numbers demonstrate.

English CFs, PL 24-25	Shot conversion %
Liam Delap	18.2
Ollie Watkins	18.1
Danny Welbeck	16.7
Jamie Vardy	15.9
Dominic Solanke	14.6

English CFs, PL 24-25	Expected goals (excl. pens) per 90
Ollie Watkins	0.54
Dominic Solanke	0.46
Danny Welbeck	0.41
Dominic Calvert-Lewin	0.35
Jamie Vardy	0.34

English CFs, PL 24-25	Chances created per 90
Jarrod Bowen	1.8
Danny Welbeck	1.0
Ollie Watkins	0.9
Liam Delap	0.8
Dominic Solanke	0.7

These stats also cast Ipswich's Liam Delap in a favourable light - could the 22-year-old earn his first senior cap under Tuchel, having represented England at every level from U16 to U21?

Delap has scored 10 Premier League goals this season for Ipswich.

Trust in what you know?

A big dilemma for Tuchel might be whether to select players he already knows, of which there are many, from his 18-month stint at Chelsea especially.

A quick glance at the English players he has given 10+ league starts to shows those that could be in his thinking.

Player	League starts under Tuchel
Mason Mount	47
Reece James	39
Harry Kane	32
Trevoh Chalobah	18
Ben Chilwell	18
Callum Hudson-Odoi	18
Ruben Loftus-Cheek	18
Eric Dier	13

Has Reece James timed his return to form and fitness perfectly? With Callum Hudson-Odoi performing so well at high-flying Forest, could he be in with a shout? And what about the English contingent at AC Milan, of which Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a part?

This theme could also have an impact on what formation England play, as we look at the systems that Tuchel has employed most often in league games since joining PSG in 2018.

Formation	Times used
3-4-2-1	47 (25%)
4-2-3-1	45 (24%)
4-3-3	31 (17%)
4-2-2-2	20 (11%)
3-5-2	15 (8%)

Could the 3-4-2-1 lineup get Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in behind Kane? Or will Tuchel settle on four at the back, meaning more chances for wingers such as Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford?

'I'd look at the young boys at Arsenal'

TNT Sports caught up with Joe Cole - a veteran of three World Cups with his country - ahead of the England squad announcement,.

When asked who he thinks could be the squad's wild cards, he suggested two young breakout stars.

"I think I’d look at the young boys at Arsenal, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly," Cole said.

"Those boys are doing it regularly and they’re standing up. I think having them in the squad will be good for them and good for the team."

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Lewis-Skelly could solve the left-back problem England have been trying to address for a good while.

Injuries to Luke Shaw have seen him absent for long periods, with right-back Kieran Trippier filling the role predominantly during Euro 2024, to the detriment of the team's natural width.

Lewis-Skelly, at just 18, is operating at the elite level of the game, earning accolades for the way he has handled the pressure and fitting seamlessly into the Arsenal side.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Remarkably, he is also the most accurate passer in the entire Premier League so far this season for players with 500+ minutes played, with a 95% success rate.

And that ability to keep possession, along with all his other qualities, could see him parachuted straight into not just the England squad, but perhaps also the starting XI.

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