England's star trio can't fit in the same lineup - what's the verdict?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, no goals conceded and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They might but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
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, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," 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 categorize him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
