Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed 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 certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we regard 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 categorize him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
