Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"They can but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.
