England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a central midfielder," 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 number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
