England's star trio are unable to play together - does the manager have a point?
With six wins from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions 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 stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we developed and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of 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 together, England have won 10, shared points three times and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives 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 operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
