🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents struggle to fit in the same lineup - what's the verdict? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been essential components for England over the last five seasons With six wins from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup. "Presently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature. "They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine." From automatic picks to contested places England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together? Gareth Southgate certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final. In the 16 games the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes. Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack. The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws. Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could feature as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week. "With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we regard him as a number eight," he said. Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season. That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward. Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.