Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't play together - does the manager have a point?
With six wins from six matches, no goals conceded and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they cannot play.
"They can but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we developed and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven games at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, 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.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the main forward, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he operates similarly to a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we consider him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, 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 international competition, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
