Three Lions' top talents are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?

After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.

Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.

"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.

"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."

From automatic picks to contested places

The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.

So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?

Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.

Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.

Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.

Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.

Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable 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.

"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.

Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.

That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.

No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.