Three Lions' top talents struggle to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion 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.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
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 lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have won 10, shared points three times and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
