England's star trio are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest 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.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured together, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, 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 deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the advanced playmaker, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
