Three Lions' top talents struggle to play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the three have featured together, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring 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 a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we consider 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 make him an option as the central midfielder, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
