England's star trio can't play together - what's the verdict?
Having secured six victories in six games, no goals conceded and tournament placement assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and the Gunners' star are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
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 excellent dribbling, shooting ability and capacity to penetrate the area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, engage in one-on-one situations, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could play as the number nine, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.