England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins out of six, no goals conceded and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have won 10, drawn three and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
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 impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, 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 an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.
