Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins out of six, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match 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 identical lineup.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times 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.
The Aston Villa player 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. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
