Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to play together - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They might but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could categorize him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
