Three Lions' top talents can't operate simultaneously - is Tuchel right?
With six wins out of six, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification 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 domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents 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 preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that changes shape when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his strong ball-carrying, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. The wide attackers consistently operate in wide areas and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is an alternative approach all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could position him as the central midfielder, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
Regardless of if Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the interest of team harmony.
