Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
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 his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
But can 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 last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot 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 Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
