Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
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 operate as the main forward, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if 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.
