Three Lions' top talents can't play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at Euro 2024 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 won 10, tied three matches and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a central midfielder," 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 number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
