England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.
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 three have featured alongside each other, England have won 10, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.