Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box 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, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders 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 battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we regard him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
