England's star trio are unable to play together - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to 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 - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss 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 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
