Three Lions' top talents struggle to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we established 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 guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
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 simultaneously, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, 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 make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
