Three Lions' top talents can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores 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 primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," 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 position him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
