England's star trio can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
With six wins out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
