Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the same team.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They might but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," 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 central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
