Three Lions' top talents are unable to play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at the European Championship 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 triumphed 10 times, drawn three and been defeated three times, 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.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
No matter 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 name of balance.
