England's star trio are unable to fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
With six wins out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we created and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
