Three Lions' top talents are unable to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not within this system, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
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 Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months 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 enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
