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After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.

Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.

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

"They can but not within this system, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."

From automatic picks to contested places

The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.

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

Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.

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

In the 16 games the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.

Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives

Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup 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 spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to support offensive play.

What solutions exist for the trio?

Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.

Foden could operate as the main forward, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.

There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.

"For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a box-to-box player," he said.

Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.

That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.

Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.