Three Lions' top talents are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories from six matches, no goals conceded and a World Cup spot confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
From automatic picks to contested places
Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but the manager's choices imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the stars have performed simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his impressive ball progression, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and a partner with attacking liberty to support offensive play.
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 potentially could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we regard 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 categorize him as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Regardless of if Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.