🔗 Share this article England's star trio can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the recent half-decade After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team. "Presently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together. "It's possible but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker." From guaranteed positions to competitive roles Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? The previous England manager certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and lost three, scoring 36 times and conceding 14. Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions. Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play. So how could Tuchel use these three players? Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could feature as the main forward, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at 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 box-to-box player," 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 categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor. This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward. No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.