England's star trio struggle to play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They can 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 guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, 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 suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," 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 advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
