England's star trio can't play together - does the manager have a point?
With six wins in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"They can but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
So can 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 games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and another with greater freedom 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 attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
