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Having secured six victories from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.

Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.

"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.

"They might but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.

The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?

Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.

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

In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.

Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.

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

Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.

What solutions exist for the trio?

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

Foden could play as the number nine, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.

There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.

"For Man City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a box-to-box player," 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 advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.

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

Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.