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After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue 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 nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.

"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.

"They might but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From certain starters to fighting for spots

The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.

So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?

Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have won 10, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.

Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions

Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation 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 forward retreats.

Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.

Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.

Potential configurations for England's stars

Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.

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

There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.

"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a number eight," he said.

Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position 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 enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.

Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.