England's star trio can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed 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 can but not with current tactics, not preserving harmony that we created and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have triumphed 10 times, 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 alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and arrive in the box to score.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to support offensive play.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
