Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to play together - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They might but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we created and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
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 games the three have featured together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to join the forward movement.
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 probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
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 World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
