Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?

Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.

However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.

"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.

"It's possible but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.

The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?

The previous England manager certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.

In the 16 fixtures the three have featured alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.

Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions

Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.

The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.

Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.

Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.

There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.

"For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.

Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.

That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.

Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.