England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas 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 one defensively strict player and one with more license to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," 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 central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
