Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't play together - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs from six matches, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the main forward, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
