England's star trio are unable to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have won 10, drawn three and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can retain the ball skillfully, take their full-back on, 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 join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
