England’s challenge of incorporating Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer into the same lineup has sparked debate, especially after their 2-1 loss to Greece at Wembley. Interim boss Lee Carsley fielded the trio together, but with no traditional striker, the team struggled to find a rhythm. With Harry Kane injured, Carsley must find a way to maximize the talent of these three attacking midfielders in the upcoming clash against Finland.
Several tactical options could help accommodate Bellingham, Foden, and Palmer. One approach would be to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, where the three would sit behind a central striker like Ollie Watkins if Kane remains unavailable. Palmer has been playing as a number 10 for Chelsea, but he is also capable of playing on the right, where Bukayo Saka often features. Bellingham, who has thrived centrally for Real Madrid, could take up a more advanced role in the number 10 position, with Foden operating on the left, where he played during Euro 2024. This system would allow the trio to combine their versatility and creativity in the attacking third.
Another option is a 4-3-3 formation, which could see Bellingham and Palmer playing alongside Declan Rice in central midfield. This setup would give Bellingham freedom to drift to the left, where he often found space for Real Madrid, while Palmer could occupy a deeper midfield role. Foden could then push higher up alongside a striker, or even lead the attack himself, though this would demand a more fluid, positional interchange between the midfield and forward lines. Carsley might also consider a variation of the 4-3-3 with Bellingham and Palmer both playing as advanced number 10s behind the striker, creating more central attacking options.
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The 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation is another viable solution, positioning Bellingham and Palmer in central roles behind a front two, possibly Kane and a partner like Watkins or Solanke. This formation would push Foden into a more advanced position on the left, allowing for dynamic interplay and movement between the three attacking players. Additionally, Palmer’s ability to play as a second striker or wide playmaker opens up the potential for an even more fluid system, where the trio rotate positions frequently during matches.
Despite the options, England’s performance against Greece highlighted the risks of a strikerless system. Bellingham thrived as a false nine for Real Madrid, but without a clear target in the box, England struggled to break down the Greek defence. It could be worth revisiting a false nine system with Bellingham in a more forward role, supported by Palmer and Foden, though this would require better coordination and more incisive off-ball movement to avoid the positional confusion seen in the Greece game.
Ultimately, Carsley has numerous tactical possibilities at his disposal, and the key lies in finding the right balance between creativity and structure. While Bellingham, Foden, and Palmer each bring immense attacking qualities, the challenge is to fit them into a cohesive system that can unlock their full potential without compromising the team’s shape or defensive stability.
