Three Lions' top talents can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
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 strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
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 maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.