🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the last five seasons Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup. "At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature. "They might 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 presently employ with specific numbered positions." From guaranteed positions to competitive roles England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wing positions 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 fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals. 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 main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions. Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could play as the main forward, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week. "For Man City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a number eight," 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 number eight, paired with a defensive anchor. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine. Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.