🔗 Share this article Kane, Bellingham and Foden struggle to play together - what's the verdict? Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the last five seasons After achieving six consecutive triumphs 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. Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation. "Presently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. "They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we created and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker." From guaranteed positions to competitive roles The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively. But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup? Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so. Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final. In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have won 10, tied three matches and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals. 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 main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats. Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions. Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack. What solutions exist for the trio? Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front. Foden could operate as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense. There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week. "At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, 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 position 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 nine. No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.