England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - what's the verdict?
Having secured six victories in six games, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed together, England have won 10, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
