Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he said 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 keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played simultaneously, England have won 10, tied three matches and lost three, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize 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 center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.
