Kane, Bellingham and Foden are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories out of six, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the same team.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they won't fit together.
"They can but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed and not in this formation that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with defensive, central, attacking midfielders and striker."
From certain starters to fighting for spots
England's creative talents have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but Tuchel's selections indicate that the Manchester United forward and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss evidently thought it possible.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the stars have performed together, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and skill in entering the penalty area when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring natural flank operators. Saka and Gordon consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, engage in one-on-one situations, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could play as the central striker, which theoretically could enable both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is an alternative approach all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"At Manchester City, he plays almost like a number eight or 10, so potentially in future we consider him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the number eight, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.