Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way 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 maybe during the next months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize him as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
