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After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.

Yet, 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 - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.

"Currently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.

"They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that Marcus Rashford 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?

Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 fixtures the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.

The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.

Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.

Foden could operate as the main forward, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.

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

"With his club, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next 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 make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.

Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.