England's star trio can't play together - is Tuchel right?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for 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 equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we created and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring 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 one with more license to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
