England’s Frontline Dilemma: Kane, Foden, or Flexibility?
England’s EURO 2024 campaign is defined not just by results, but by the structure of their attacking trident. With Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham all fit, how does Gareth Southgate balance talent with tactical balance?
The False Nine Option
In group games, Foden often dropped deep into half-spaces, while Bellingham surged beyond. This created overloads, but also left Kane isolated or wide of the box.
“We’re asking players to rotate — but at times, it’s over-rotated.”
– Former England midfielder Joe Cole
Kane’s Role Under Debate
While Kane is England’s most reliable scorer, his involvement in deeper buildup phases has raised questions. Does England need a poacher or a playmaker at 9?
Potential Fixes
- Keep Kane central, rotate midfielders instead
- Introduce Palmer or Gordon as dynamic left flank options
- Restore width by repositioning Saka and dropping Foden deeper
