Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ 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 his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," 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 categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
