England's star trio struggle to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and tournament placement confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's domestic match 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 stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
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 excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two 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 vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which theoretically could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to 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 allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
