🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been essential components for England over the recent half-decade With six wins in six games, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed 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. "It's possible but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker." From guaranteed positions to competitive roles The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Gareth Southgate certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 games the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and conceding 14. Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack. The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "At Manchester City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said. Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season. That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the striker. No matter 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 name of balance.