Three Lions' top talents can't play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we created and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars 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 plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
