Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize 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 the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a box-to-box player," 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 advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.