Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to operate simultaneously - does the manager have a point?
With six wins in six games, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the equivalent formation.
"Currently, if we keep the structure, they won't fit together.
"They can but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections suggest that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Former Three Lions boss apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the primary attacking midfielder because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring dedicated wide players. Saka and Gordon play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of a holding midfielder 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 number 10 role, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which in theory could permit both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so maybe during the next months we view him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what appears positive is his preparedness to omit established stars in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.