Three Lions' top talents can't play together - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's home game against Serbia, he sparked a debate when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play.
"They might but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we developed and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven games at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and suffered three losses, netting 36 goals and letting in 14 strikes.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, challenge defenders, and enter the area to finish.
Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so maybe during the next months we consider 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 make him an option as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the international competition, what seems encouraging is his willingness to leave big players out in the name of balance.