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Three Lions' top talents struggle to play together - what's the verdict?
Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not within this system, not for the balance that we developed and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
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 skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
Rita Davis
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