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Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.

Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.

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

"It's possible but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

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

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

Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.

In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, 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 primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder 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 attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.

Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could allow 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 plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming 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 enabled him to operate from deeper areas 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.

No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.