🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the recent half-decade With six wins from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup. "Currently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature. "They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions." From certain starters to fighting for spots The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously? Gareth Southgate certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final. In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals. Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "For Man City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we view him as a box-to-box player," 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 attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine. Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.