How England should line up under Thomas Tuchel: New Three Lions boss should build around Jude Bellingham and utilise wing-backs for Three Lions

Jordan Pickford's place in the England team was called into question after the home defeat against Greece in October, leading to him being dropped for the next game against Finland as Dean Henderson was preferred. Pickford delivered an emphatic response upon being recalled last week in Athens, however, as he kept England in front with top-draw saves while making decisive decisions when coming out of his area and claiming crosses.

Pickford has been in fine form for Everton, conceding just four goals in his last seven games while keeping three clean sheets. Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale have been struggling in the meantime, making Pickford the only credible choice for the new boss.

Ezri Konsa impressed when called upon at Euro 2024, although injuries limited him to just two appearances in Carsley's six games, and he was forced to withdraw from Thursday's meeting with Greece at half-time.

Howevr, as long as he stays injury free, Konsa has all the attributes to thrive under Tuchel. And especially if the German deploys a back-three, due to his experience of playing as both a full-back and right centre-back for Aston Villa.

John Stones missed the final two games of Carsley's spell in charge, but when he returns to full fitness he can expect to be recalled by Tuchel. The German will surely value the Manchester City man's experience as well as his ability to play out from the back and push into midfield when needs be. Stones' aerial threat from corners will also do him no harm when it comes to debating selection.

Marc Guehi was one of England's breakout stars at Euro 2024 and he has not looked back since. Injuries to Stones, Harry Maguire and Levi Colwill have meant he has turned into the most reliable centre-back in the England pool over the past six months.

The Crystal Palace captain was superb against Greece and Ireland this past week, putting his aerial prowess to good use against the latter, and he should be expected to lead the defence into the new era under Tuchel.

Trent Alexander-Arnold never really found his place in Gareth Southgate's side due to stylistic differences with the coach and a wealth of competition, but Tuchel has a very different vision of play to his predecessor and the Liverpool star should fit right into it. The German made great use of Reece James while at Chelsea while he shifted Joshua Kimmich from midfield back towards full-back at Bayern, so he must be excited about working with the man who has frequently spoken of wanting to transform the position of right-back.

Playing as wing-back with three defenders behind him would give Alexander-Arnold extra freedom to roam forward and do what he does best, while he can also slot inside to give the team numerical superiority in midfield.

Declan Rice was one of the many players who withdrew from the last England squad over injury concerns, but there can be no question that he will be a huge part of Tuchel's plans. The Arsenal man will be tasked with holding the midfield together and screening the defence, and Rice can always get an extra bit of help from the third centre-back.

Jude Bellingham had a hand in three of England's five goals against Ireland with an all-action performance, and he is going to be one of the most important players to Tuchel. Southgate spent all of the Euro 2024 campaign trying to fit Bellingham and Phil Foden into the same team, but never managed it. Tuchel, therefore, would be best off just picking one of the two midfielders and bring the other off the bench. Real Madrid's Bellingham should be at the front of the queue as he can take on a dual role of enforcer and creator in this system.

Anthony Gordon might not seem like a natural wing-back, but he is the best option England have due to Luke Shaw's eternal injury problems and the relative inexperience of Lewis Hall.

The Newcastle winger has the legs and lungs for the defensive duties that come with the role, as well as bags of attacking quality.

Bukayo Saka has been one of the most outstanding England players of the last four years, performing consistently in qualifiers and major tournaments. He can take on even more responsibility for goal-scoring under Tuchel by coming inside more and should be looking to get closer to the numbers he regularly produces at club level for Arsenal.

Cole Palmer has admitted to feeling bemused at not playing more during the Euros campaign - and he was not the only one. Tuchel cannot make the same mistake as Southgate and he should be using Chelsea's generational talent as much as he can.

Deploying Palmer behind the main striker, with a licence to drift to either wing, would be a sure-fire way to get the best from him.

“It's a big thing, we took the skipper of England out of England, out of Premier League, it's a huge deal, a big transfer, we're very happy." That was how Tuchel responded when asked about the signifance of Bayern Munich signing Harry Kane last year. Tuchel got the very best out of Kane, who scored 44 goals and set up a further 12 for Bayern in their one season together, so it makes perfect sense that England's all-time top scorer will naturally be a big part of the coach's side.

There are legitimate questions about Kane's mobility and his longevity, and he must not become un-droppable like he was for Southgate, especially when there are proven strikers like Ollie Watkins waiting in the wings. But when fit and firing, Kane must lead the line.