Three Lions' top talents can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the lead-up to 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 same team.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play 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 suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
