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Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.

Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.

"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.

"It's possible but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."

From automatic picks to contested places

England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank 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 matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.

The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.

Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.

Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.

What solutions exist for the trio?

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.

Foden could feature as the main forward, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.

There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.

"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.

Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.

That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then permit Bellingham to feature 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 appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.