Three Lions' top talents are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we developed and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
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 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have won 10, tied three matches and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring 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.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
