Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They might but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed together, England have won 10, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
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 theoretically could enable 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.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder 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 allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
