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With six wins from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.

Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - 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 can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."

From guaranteed positions to competitive roles

England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.

But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.

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

In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.

Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.

Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.

What solutions exist for the trio?

Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.

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

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

"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.

Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.

That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.

This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.

Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.