Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They might but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
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 main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we view him as a box-to-box player," 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, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
