If these were the Tuchel trials, Foden - among others - failed
Foden, for all his brilliant talent and success with City, has often resembled a square peg in a round hole for England, pushed to the wider margins to accommodate Jude Bellingham, as happened at Euro 2024. Tuchel now has options in the central area behind the striker, the role Foden favours, as well as on the left flank, where he has been used in the past. Real Madrid's Bellingham and Morgan Rogers - with the Villa man's excellence for club and country giving Tuchel a genuine choice - appear to be locked in a straight fight at number 10.
And Palmer has shown what he can offer as an alternative. He did it in flashes at Wembley and has done so for England in the past, particularly when scoring in the losing Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin. Marcus Rashford was lively against Uruguay, while Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon currently appears favourite to start in that position at the World Cup, with Arsenal forward Noni Madueke also comfortable on both flanks.
Tuchel has spoken about Foden as an unorthodox deputy for captain Harry Kane as a central striker, but this would surely be too much of a stretch. The World Cup is no place for wild experiments. It all leaves Foden as one of the players whose place on the plane to the United States is uncertain, wondering if a big opportunity had passed him by against Uruguay.
England's struggle to impose themselves on Uruguay meant it was a testing night for those wanting to impress. "There's no-one out there in a red shirt that looked over to the bench and said, 'I'm ready. I'm going to America.
I want a ticket for that plane'," said ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live. Manchester United's Harry Maguire made the most of his recall in defence with a solid display, capped by two brave, crucial blocks in the closing stages as Uruguay pressed for an unlikely winner. He is now a serious contender for the squad, especially with fitness doubts continuing to surround John Stones.