England's star trio struggle to operate simultaneously - what's the verdict?
With six wins from six matches, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Nevertheless, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the three have featured together, England have won 10, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
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 impressive ball progression, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
No matter 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 pursuit of tactical equilibrium.