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Having secured six victories from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.

However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter 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 same team.

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

"They can but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."

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 imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.

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

The previous England manager certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches 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 main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.

Potential configurations for England's stars

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.

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

There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.

"At Manchester City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, 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, alongside a holding midfielder.

This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.

Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.