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After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.

Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions 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 maintain the formation, they cannot play.

"They might but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.

The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?

Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.

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

In the 16 games the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.

Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives

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

Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.

Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, 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.

Potential configurations for England's stars

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.

Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.

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

"With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.

Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.

That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.

This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the nine.

No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.