Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
But 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 the European Championship in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
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 central striker, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.