🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been key players for England over the past five years With six wins out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct. Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation. "At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions." From certain starters to fighting for spots The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively. So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Gareth Southgate certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final. In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times 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 alters structure when England attack. The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws. Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score. In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement. Potential configurations for England's stars Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane. There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week. "For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we consider 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 make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six. This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward. Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.