Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They might but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which theoretically 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 alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, 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, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
No matter 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 name of balance.
