England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
