🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden struggle to play together - is Tuchel right? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the last five seasons After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices. Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's home game 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 identical lineup. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together. "They can but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions." From automatic picks to contested places Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously? Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible. Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final. In the 16 games the three have featured together, England have won 10, shared points three times and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and conceding 14. Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack. The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions. Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to support offensive play. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front. Foden could feature as the main forward, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week. "With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said. Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season. That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the striker. Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.