England's star trio can't play together - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories in six games, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, 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 - cannot play in the same team.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not within this system, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank 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 lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his excellent dribbling, shooting ability and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we regard 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 position him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
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.
