England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion 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 maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
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 England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
