Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't play together - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed together, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which theoretically could allow 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.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, 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 allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.