Thomas Tuchel is preparing to take charge of his first match as England manager on Friday night. The Three Lions host Albania at Wembley in the first of 10 World Cup qualifiers. Tuchel has been brought in on an 18-month contract with one task – to bring football home.

However, there are many uncertainties around the German’s first starting line-up. What formation will he choose? Will he pick Jordan Henderson? Can he stop Harry Kane from dropping deep?

Express Sport writers have given their views on who should start for the Three Lions…

Mikael McKenzie

(4-1-4-1): Trafford; James, Guehi, Colwill, Livramento; Rice; Gordon, Bellingham, Gibbs-White, Rogers; Bowen

James Trafford will be England’s No. 1 for the next decade so it’s time to start trusting him now. We only need one holding midfielder against the lesser nations, Declan Rice can do that job solo.

England need a forward who is going to run off the shoulder. Harry Kane drops way too deep. Ideally we would have Ollie Watkins up top but given he’s not been called up, I’d count on Jarrod Bowen to stretch the defence.

Charlie Gordon

(4-3-3): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Gibbs-White, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Gordon

The main toss-ups are at centre-back, in central midfield and on the right wing. Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi offer a balance of left and right-footers in defence, though I’d also like to see Dan Burn feature at some point during the international break.

Morgan Gibbs-White is a great all-round option to complete the midfield trio with Jude Bellingham dropping in. And Phil Foden edges out Morgan Rogers on the right, just for what he can do on his day, and how well he should suit that position on paper.

Joe Krishnan

(3-4-3): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Burn; James, Rice, Bellingham, Lewis-Skelly; Foden, Kane, Rashford.

We know from his time at Chelsea and Bayern Munich that Tuchel prefers playing with three at the back and I can’t see that changing with England either. After scoring in the Carabao Cup final, Dan Burn has earned his debut cap over Levi Colwill while Myles Lewis-Skelly would be a more effective option in the left wing-back role than Tino Livramento.

I like Morgan Rogers as a forward option, but it’s clear Marcus Rashford needs a pallet cleanser after just 14 goals in 60 caps – and a show of faith from Tuchel by starting him may be what’s required.

Amos Murphy

(4-3-3): Pickford; James, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Bellingham, Foden; Gordon, Kane, Bowen

Forget the players, the biggest question heading into Tuchel’s first England match is what formation will he use? For simplicity sake, let’s say he opts for a classic 4-3-3 to kick things off. Pickford retains his spot (for now), with a Chelsea-inspired backline making up most of the defence.

Lewis-Skelly is the best English left-back available that isn’t injured, whereas a Rice-Bellingham-Foden midfield should provide all the minerals – at least on paper. Expect direct wing-play from Gordon and Bowen, with Kane leading the line.

Charlie Parker-Turner

(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Colwill, Livramento; Rice, Bellingham; Bowen, Rogers, Gordon; Kane

Tuchel has the chance to shake up the England ranks in his first match in charge. Tino Livramento and Morgan Rogers have both enjoyed exceptional campaigns and, with Luke Shaw and Cole Palmer out, have the chance to stake their claims going forward.

Harry Kane is enjoying a brilliant season and should thrive with the pace and energy of Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen alongside him. At the back, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is favoured over Kyle Walker and Reece James in right-back, whilst the centre-back pairing and goalkeeper picks itself.

Fraser Watson

(4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Colwill, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Rogers, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Gordon.

Expect Thomas Tuchel to utilise a 4-3-3 formation, given that he knows the benefit of having two creative players on either side of Harry Kane. Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon should flank the striker because Cole Palmer is injured. Marcus Rashford’s redemption arc doesn’t merit going full circle by starting him just yet – but he should be looked at in a cameo role.

Forget the lack of experience; Myles Lewis-Skelly has to start at left-back, and on current form, Morgan Rogers deserves a place in the XI. Kyle Walker is no longer a long-term prospect, but Reece James simply hasn’t played enough to warrant 90 minutes.

Jack McEachen

(4-3-3): Pickford; James, Guehi, Colwill, Livramento; Bellingham, Rice, Rogers; Bowen, Kane, Rashford

Bellingham, Rogers, Bowen and Rashford. Four attackers perfectly suited to playing off Kane who, despite clamours for him not to, will continue to drop deep and dictate play. The captain deserves a team that will play to his strengths.

Gareth Southgate did not do so at Euro 2024 and although they slumped to the final, performances were abject. James and Livramento get nods as the only genuine attacking full-backs in the squad. Foden too often occupies the same space as Kane and misses out.