England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not for the balance that we created and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the left and right flank 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 games at the European Championship in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we regard him as a box-to-box player," 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 allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
