Three Lions' top talents struggle to play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement secured with two group games to spare, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has made the right selection choices.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"They might but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we created and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Barcelona loanee and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, registering 36 scores and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that alters structure when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the central striker, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we view 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 central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the international competition, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.