Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we stick with the system, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
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 his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and the Gunners' star are his first choices on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and allowing 14 goals.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he functions as a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we consider him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could position him as the number eight, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what bodes well is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.