England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-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 equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks 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.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.