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Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.

However, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.

"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.

"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance 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 certain starters to fighting for spots

England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.

But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?

The previous England manager certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 matches the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.

Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions

Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.

The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.

Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.

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

There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.

"At Manchester City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we view him as a central midfielder," 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 central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.

This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.

Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.