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With six wins out of six, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.

However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions 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.

"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.

"They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.

But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

The previous England manager certainly thought so.

Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.

In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.

Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions

Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.

The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.

Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.

Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.

Potential configurations for England's stars

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

Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.

There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.

"For Man City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a box-to-box player," 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, 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 international competition, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.