England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we created 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 certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have won 10, shared points three times and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we view him as a central midfielder," 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 position him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.