England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - what's the verdict?
Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
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 likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
