🔗 Share this article England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - what's the verdict? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the past five years After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team. "Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play. "They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not within the framework that incorporates 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 deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wing positions respectively. So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times 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 changes shape when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep. Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack. So how could Tuchel use these three players? Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could play as the central striker, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said. Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season. That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper 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 nine. Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.