🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents are unable to play together - what's the verdict? 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, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Yet, in the lead-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 - cannot play in the same team. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "They might but not within this system, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions." From guaranteed positions to competitive roles Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together? The previous England manager certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes. Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack. The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws. Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front. Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week. "For Man City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said. Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season. That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder. This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker. No matter whether 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.