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Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.

However, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.

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

"They can but not within this system, not for the balance that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.

So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.

In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

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

Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.

Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.

Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.

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

"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a number eight," he said.

Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.

That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.

This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the nine.

Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.