Three Lions' top talents can't play together - does the manager have a point?
With six wins out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
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 his team selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of 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 matches the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system 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 regard 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 make him an option as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
