Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options 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 started all of England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times 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.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders 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 attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
