England's star trio can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
With six wins out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we created and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager 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 simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we regard 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 advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
