Three Lions' top talents can't play together - what's the verdict?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and lost three, netting 36 goals 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 key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming 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 permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
