Three Lions' top talents are unable to play together - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Nevertheless, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not for the balance that we established and not within the framework that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wing positions 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 fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a holding midfielder and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position 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 enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
