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With six wins out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.

However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.

"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.

"They can but not within this system, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.

So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.

In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.

The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

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

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

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

"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider 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 categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.

This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.

No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.