England's star trio can't play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
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 lost to 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.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force 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 maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder 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 attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
