🔗 Share this article England's star trio struggle to fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the past five years With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation. "Currently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature. "They can but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we created and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ 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 the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final. In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times 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 young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws. Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish. Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to contribute to the attack. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane. There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week. "For Man City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said. Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season. That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor. This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker. Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.