Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are like specialists 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 Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played simultaneously, England have won 10, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the main forward, 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 alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize 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 striker.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
