England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.