Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have won 10, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we regard 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 categorize him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.