England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
With six wins from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
