England's star trio can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the three have featured alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and lost three, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
