Kane, Bellingham and Foden struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From automatic picks to contested places
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, scoring 36 times 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.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested 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 central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
