Thomas Tuchel reveals Jude Bellingham could offer England a new option as number nine

Bellingham came off the bench during England's 2-0 Nations League win over Czechia on Tuesday, replacing Harry Kane in the 71st minute before taking the captain's armband for the closing stages.

Tuchel has previously used Bellingham in a more advanced midfield role and now sees the 23-year-old as someone capable of leading the line when England need a different solution.

"I like him as a (No) 9," Tuchel said. "Then he can contribute to both sides and overloads the sides and doesn't affect so much of the balance."

England do not currently have an obvious long-term replacement for Kane, who scored his 87th international goal to seal the victory in Prague.

Tuchel has stressed that England will not find another player who can simply replicate Kane, but believes Bellingham's versatility could help provide a different attacking option.

"You will not get another Harry Kane, first of all," Tuchel said. "We look for different solutions. We finished the game with Jude as a No 9. There will be someone else but it will not be Harry or a copy of Harry."

Bellingham's ability to arrive in the penalty area and contribute goals is central to Tuchel's thinking, regardless of whether he operates as a No 9 or No 10.

"Jude in general should always be able to go through the last line and be able to end up in the box," Tuchel added. "He is a natural goalscorer and has the hunger to be on the scoreboard."

The England boss also appears to see Bellingham as a potential long-term leader.

Kane remains England's captain, while Declan Rice is currently absent, but Bellingham has now worn the armband on several occasions. He also led the team during June's World Cup warm-up victory over Costa Rica and briefly took charge during the defeat by Spain at the weekend.

Asked whether Bellingham could eventually become the permanent captain, Tuchel replied: "If you are the captain at the end of these matches you can for sure be the permanent captain."

Tuchel's decision to leave Bellingham on the bench in Prague was largely related to managing his workload after Saturday's defeat by Spain.

The midfielder had not experienced such a quick turnaround during the current season, prompting Tuchel to limit his minutes rather than risk overloading him.

Bellingham did, however, pick up a minor niggle late in his appearance, with Tuchel hoping it does not prevent him from featuring against Croatia.

England had already taken control of the match by then after Czechia were reduced to 10 men when Pavel Sulc was sent off following a VAR review in the first half.

Anthony Gordon headed Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross into the net shortly after the interval before Kane added the second, moving England up to second in Nations League Group A3.

Tuchel was satisfied with a controlled away performance, particularly after England had struggled to impose themselves early on.

"I love sometimes these unglamorous results so you have a relaxed evening," he said. "It cannot be always glamourous and super exciting. You have to sometimes do the hard work with not a lot of praise."

For now, Kane remains England's undisputed first-choice striker and captain. But Tuchel's comments suggest Bellingham could increasingly be given responsibility both in attack and in leadership as England prepare for life beyond their established talisman.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp amid reported head coach rift