Three Lions' top talents can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed 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 with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games 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 together, England have won 10, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we regard him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.
