Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
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 indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played together, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
