England’s national football team is adopting a more fluid tactical approach under the guidance of assistant coach Anthony Barry, aiming to unlock the full potential of key players as they prepare for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches and build towards Euro 2028, which England will co-host.

Barry, speaking about the new system implemented by head coach Thomas Tuchel, highlighted the emphasis on flexibility and player freedom rather than fixed positional assignments. Central to this strategy is Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder who has impressed with his performances in recent games, including England’s 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka and the narrow 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley. Bellingham has been operating in a freer No. 10 role, given the license to drift across the pitch and exploit spaces where he can make the most impact.

Barry noted that Bellingham’s versatility—being able to perform at a high level in multiple midfield roles—posed a tactical puzzle. The team’s solution, developed during the recent World Cup and refined in the Nations League, has been to implement a structure that does not restrict him to a single position but allows him to depend on his intuition and roam freely. This approach aims to harness his ability to influence the game from various areas of the pitch. Barry added that, although it is early in this new phase, the initial results are promising in unlocking Bellingham’s capabilities fully.

This move toward fluidity extends beyond Bellingham. The team’s tactical setup encourages multiple players to operate outside their traditional zones, with full-backs advancing high up the pitch and wingers making incisive runs off the flanks. Even striker Harry Kane has been seen dropping deep into defensive spaces more typical of midfielders, exemplifying the collective adaptability demanded by the new system.

England’s aggressive counter-pressing has been particularly effective under this approach, maintaining high intensity to quickly regain possession, as demonstrated against Croatia where the team established a commanding four-goal lead by halftime. Barry acknowledged the challenge of implementing such a fluid style in international football, where preparation time is limited, but praised the players' intelligence and cohesion in adapting to this principle-driven model.

While the shift may be partly a response to the perceived tactical constraints that hampered England in their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, the coaching staff emphasizes continuity and evolution rather than a wholesale reinvention. Barry described the strategy as an “addition” to the team’s existing framework, allowing players to express themselves more naturally and interact dynamically on the pitch.

England faces Czechia at Wembley in their next Nations League fixture, where the management will be looking to further consolidate this flexible, fluid approach as they continue their preparations for the forthcoming European Championship.