Three Lions' top talents are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, 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 - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They can but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
