With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, England head coach Thomas Tuchel faces a growing selection headache across several areas of the pitch.
One of the most pressing questions surrounds the role of backup striker to Harry Kane.
With options limited and a noticeable lack of young English forwards breaking through in recent years, Tuchel’s decision could prove crucial.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Ellie McDevitt assesses four potential contenders.
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Ollie Watkins
Watkins played a pivotal role in England’s Euro 2024 campaign, firing the Three Lions into the final with his dramatic late winner against the Netherlands.
Heading into the 2025/26 season, many supporters would have expected the Aston Villa forward to be a guaranteed inclusion.
However, a return of just three goals in 23 appearances this season has placed his position under scrutiny.
The 29-year-old has scored six goals in 20 England caps, including on his debut in a 5–0 victory over San Marino in 2021.
Watkins offers Tuchel a different profile to Kane: his ability to run in behind defences adds pace and unpredictability, while his sharp instincts in the box make him a reliable poacher.
Villa’s talisman has registered 84 Premier League goals in 200 appearances, alongside 36 assists – numbers that underline his consistency at the top level.
Danny Welbeck
Welbeck currently leads the way for English strikers in the Premier League this season, with seven goals to his name.
The 35-year-old has not received an England call-up since September 2018, though speculation mounted ahead of Tuchel’s most recent squad announcement.
Ultimately, the German opted against selecting a second out-and-out striker, relying instead on the versatility of Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen.
Welbeck has amassed 42 caps for England, with his last appearance coming in a 1–0 friendly win over Switzerland shortly after the 2018 World Cup.
Across spells with Manchester United, Arsenal, Brighton, and shorter stints at Sunderland and Watford, Welbeck has scored 84 goals in 379 Premier League appearances – experience that could appeal to Tuchel in a tournament setting.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin is enjoying a strong run of form, scoring four goals in his last four matches for newly promoted Leeds United.
Like Watkins, the 28-year-old found the net on his England debut, scoring in a 3–0 win over Wales in 2020. He has since earned 11 caps, scoring four goals.
Calvert-Lewin was included in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2020 but played just 18 minutes across two appearances.
His aerial threat could be a key factor in Tuchel’s thinking. Since his Premier League debut in 2016, only Harry Kane and Chris Wood have scored more headed goals in the competition than the former Everton striker.
Liam Delap
At just 22, Delap has been touted as the breakthrough striker England have long been searching for.
The young forward enjoyed his breakout campaign last season, scoring 12 goals for Ipswich Town despite their eventual relegation.
With the club returning to the Championship, interest from several top sides followed, but Chelsea ultimately won the race, securing his signature for £30 million.
Delap’s season at Stamford Bridge has been disrupted by injury and suspension, with his only goal in 11 appearances coming at home against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Yet to receive a senior England call-up, Delap was selected for last year’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship but was withdrawn to feature in the Club World Cup, which Chelsea went on to win.
Only time will tell
With several contrasting options available, Tuchel’s decision could define England’s attacking depth at the 2026 World Cup.
The question remains: will one of these forwards make the plane – and could they be the missing piece in ending England’s long wait for international glory?
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