Tuchel has 'no problem' playing Foden as number nine for England

Thomas Tuchel says he has "no problem" playing Phil Foden as a number nine as a back-up to Harry Kane if he were ever needed.

Foden was recalled to the England squad for this international break and impressed in their 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday after coming off the bench to replace Kane.

He played 30 minutes as the number nine and set up Eberechi Eze's 90th-minute goal, as well as setting up the Arsenal forward for another chance, which hit the bar.

There was a lot of talk following Tuchel's squad announcement, with no out-and-out striker being called up alongside Kane, with Ollie Watkins left out.

However, Tuchel believes having Foden with the team gives him the perfect option should Kane ever be unavailable.

"It's [Foden coming on for Kane] absolutely an opportunity," said Tuchel.

"If Phil stays in his shape and form, I have no problem [playing him as a number nine]. I have some other options in mind that I do not want to discuss in public.

"Don't forget we have Ollie Watkins and [Danny] Welbeck, [who are maybe] more number nines, also different options to Harry.

"We have many options, but it will maybe be about who is in shape, what we have in the squad and how we share the minutes, who we play and what we expect from the match."

This season, Foden has scored four goals for Manchester City in all competitions, the second-highest total behind Erling Haaland (19).

He has also registered three assists from 4.0 expected assists (xA), while creating 38 chances for his team-mates, more than any other player in the squad.

When asked if Foden could challenge Kane if he continues his recent form, Tuchel added: "Well, it's a big ask to challenge Harry at the moment – he's in the shape of his life. The attitude, the work rate, the quality and the finishing ratio is just out of control, out of this world.

"But even here, maybe [for Phil] to be an accomplice together with Harry and to share some minutes in decisive matches.

"I had the idea several months ago, because I played against him in these kind of positions, I had the feeling in the Premier League he was really, really tough with his little movements, counter-movements, little runs. City were so dominant in these little positions, in the pockets, the half-turns. And he was shooting, he played a one-two, and he did a little run off the ball and assisted, so you couldn't catch him.

"When we made the long list with 50, 60 players, of course, it's outstanding quality, and I was hoping he might have come from first camp, and then he had a difficult spell at City.

"And now he has come back for City, he has played actually a deeper role, almost like as an eight. So, let's see where this is all going, but I wanted to see him close to the opponent's box, I wanted to see him in the middle of the traffic, surrounded with a lot of players."