England interim manager Lee Carsley is contemplating a bold tactical move ahead of Thursday’s Nations League game against Greece, considering Jude Bellingham for the false nine role, a position he has played at Real Madrid. With captain Harry Kane likely out due to an ankle injury, Carsley is exploring other options, including Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke.

However, Carsley is giving serious thought to starting Bellingham as a false nine alongside attacking players like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon. Although Bellingham hasn’t scored for Real Madrid this season, he netted 27 goals for club and country last season, including performances as a false nine.

This tactical shift would see Palmer and Foden play deeper in midfield with Declan Rice, while Saka and Gordon would provide width on the flanks. Carsley’s decision to consider Bellingham for the role instead of traditional forwards like Watkins and Solanke could surprise some fans.

Watkins, who scored the winning goal in England’s European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands, has already scored four goals for Aston Villa this season. Solanke has also been in good form, netting three times for Tottenham. Yet, Carsley highlighted the team’s depth in the No. 9 position, saying, “We’ve got plenty of options in that position but obviously Harry’s been the outstanding player for so long for us now. But I feel like we’ve definitely got a Plan B.”

For Carsley, this game is crucial in his bid to secure the permanent England manager position. A successful trial of Bellingham in this role could help integrate star talents like Foden, Palmer, and Bellingham into a cohesive attacking unit. Reflecting on his tactical plans, Carsley said, “The beauty of this job is you get a lot of time to think. In between driving from game to game you are constantly thinking about combinations, relationships.”

This challenge recalls a past issue faced by former England manager Gareth Southgate, who struggled to effectively use Bellingham, Foden, and Palmer during the European Championship. Carsley is determined to avoid a similar problem, aiming to find the best setup for his young stars.

Cole Palmer, England’s men’s player of the year, is expected to take on a larger role following strong performances for Chelsea. Carsley praised Palmer’s current form, saying, “He’s highly rated, he’s getting minutes, he’s showing that he can handle the intensity of playing game after game… when you talk about players who are in form, the fact that he’s getting so much exposure and his numbers in terms of goals and assists is brilliant for us.”

With another match against Finland just three days later, Carsley is expected to rotate the squad, further experimenting with tactics. He also spoke highly of Phil Foden’s importance to the team, stating, “Phil’s an unbelievable player, we’re very lucky to have someone with his talent and mentality, and we need to make sure we put him in positions where he can really affect the opposition.”