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After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.

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 - cannot play in the identical lineup.

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

"They can but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.

The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.

In the 16 matches the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.

Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives

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

Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.

Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to join the forward movement.

Potential configurations for England's stars

Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.

Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.

There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.

"For Man City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a number eight," he said.

Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.

That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.

No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.