🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the recent half-decade Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices. However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "It's possible but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ 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 his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively. So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together? Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could. Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14. Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, 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 maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score. Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could operate as the main forward, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "For Man City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said. Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season. That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor. This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the nine. No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.