England's star trio are unable to play together - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
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 the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.