🔗 Share this article Three Lions' top talents struggle to play together - what's the verdict? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the recent half-decade After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "It's possible but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine." From certain starters to fighting for spots Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his first choices 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 fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 games the trio have played simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals. Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack. Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep. Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions. Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could feature as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain. There is one way all three could feature together 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 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 position him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder. This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker. Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.