🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the recent half-decade Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices. However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "They can but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine." From certain starters to fighting for spots England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together? Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals. Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack. The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish. Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week. "For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said. Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season. That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward. Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.