Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the build-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 - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we developed and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon 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 utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future 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, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.