Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not within this system, not for the balance that we created and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a number eight," 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 advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
