England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - what's the verdict?
With six wins from six matches, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
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 - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
