Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not within this system, not for the balance that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders 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 battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so potentially in future we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.