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Having secured six victories out of six, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.

Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.

"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.

"It's possible but not within this system, not for the balance that we developed and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From automatic picks to contested places

Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.

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

The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and allowing 14 goals.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.

Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to contribute to the attack.

What solutions exist for the trio?

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

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

There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.

"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, 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 position him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.

Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.