Three Lions' top talents can't play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, an unbreached defense and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They might but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed 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 automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played together, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, 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 contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months 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 make him an option as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
