Kane, Bellingham and Foden struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins from six matches, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are essentially experts 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 deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and lost three, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, 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.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
