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Surprise candidate Jude Bellingham is set to replace Harry Kane as England's false number 9

Surprise candidate Jude Bellingham is set to replace Harry Kane as England's false number 9

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For Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke, called up to the squad for the first time in seven years, it seems harsh that Carsley is considering whether to do without the specialist No.9, but you certainly can't blame him that he is not brave.

Both Foden and Palmer have played false nine roles for their clubs in the past. So perhaps Carsley's approach will change slightly against Greece, even as he considers whether to start in that position with Bellingham, who played there for Real Madrid last season.

How Carsley ultimately solves the mystery when everyone is fit is a much bigger question. It goes to the heart of the centuries-old debate among international managers: How do you bring your best players into the team and ensure that they still work?

Southgate couldn't find the right answer

Before the last European Championships, I wrote that trying to integrate Bellingham, Foden and Palmer into one team could be Gareth Southgate's 'Paul Scholes moment'. This referred to Sven-Göran Eriksson's inability to successfully integrate Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard into his team.

Unfortunately for Southgate, he couldn't find the right answer as Palmer didn't start any of England's seven games and made five substitute appearances, equivalent to around 85 minutes on the pitch.

It is therefore notable that this game marks the first competitive start for the English Footballer of the Year.

Palmer finished ahead of Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in the England fans' vote, it was announced on Tuesday. However, he only made nine international appearances and was only in the starting line-up twice, both in friendly matches. In Germany he came on as a substitute five times – in the 70th, 80th, 78th, 66th and 71st minutes in the final against Spain, when he scored England's equalizer.

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