England's star trio struggle to play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They might but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not within the framework that incorporates 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
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon 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 utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
