🔗 Share this article England's star trio are unable to play together - does the manager have a point? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the recent half-decade With six wins out of six, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation. "Currently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together. "They can but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions." From certain starters to fighting for spots Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously? Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final. In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes. Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack. The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep. Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score. Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could operate as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week. "At Manchester City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a number eight," 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 advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker. Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.