Three Lions' top talents struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated 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 maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"They can but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we created and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 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 been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.