Three Lions' top talents are unable to play together - is Tuchel right?

England football stars
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have been crucial figures for England over the recent half-decade

With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.

However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.

"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation 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

The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.

But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?

The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.

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

In the 16 matches the three have featured alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.

Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options

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

Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.

Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.

In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.

So how could Tuchel use these three players?

Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.

Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.

There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.

"With his club, he functions as 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 deployed in a versatile central position this season.

That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.

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

No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.

Bruce Allen
Bruce Allen

A seasoned metal artist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in traditional forging techniques and modern design innovations.