England's star trio can't play together - what's the verdict?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They might but not within this system, not for the balance that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and been defeated three times, 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 alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we consider 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 categorize him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
