England's star trio can't play together - is Tuchel right?
After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we developed and not within the framework that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the three have featured together, England have won 10, shared points three times and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and enter the area to finish.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he operates similarly to a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a box-to-box player," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
