Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins from six matches, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
