England's star trio can't play together - what's the verdict?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not within this system, not for the balance that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections imply that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we view 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 central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.