England's star trio can't 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 might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"They can but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, 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 alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way 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 consider 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 make him an option as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.