England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
