🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents can't fit in the same lineup - what's the verdict? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the last five seasons With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup. "At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature. "They can but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker." From certain starters to fighting for spots The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively. The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final. In the 16 games the stars have performed alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals. Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack. The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws. Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane. There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week. "For Man City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a central midfielder," he said. Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season. That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him 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 center forward. Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.