Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we created and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
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 strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the number nine, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we consider him as a box-to-box player," 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 number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.
