🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been essential components for England over the last five seasons After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification. Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature. "They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker." From certain starters to fighting for spots England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final. In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times 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 key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep. Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom 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 creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could operate as the main forward, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane. There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "With his club, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a number eight," he said. Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season. That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six. This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward. Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.