🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been essential components for England over the recent half-decade After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, an unbreached defense and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation. "Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together. "They might but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we created 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 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 Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wing positions respectively. The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament 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, drawn three and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes. Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats. Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish. Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming 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 advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor. This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the nine. No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.