Three Lions' top talents are unable to fit in the same lineup - does the manager have a point?
Having secured six victories in six games, zero goals allowed and a World Cup spot assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel can argue he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - struggle to perform in the identical lineup.
"At the moment, if we maintain the formation, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We presently employ with specific numbered positions."
From automatic picks to contested places
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but his team selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Arsenal's winger are his preferred options on the wide areas respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at the European Championship in Germany, where the national squad lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, shared points three times and been defeated three times, netting 36 goals and conceding 14.
Tactical insight: Foden's flexibility provides alternatives
Tuchel has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that transforms formation when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the key creative force because of his strong ball-carrying, shooting ability and ability to attack the box when the striker drops deep.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring dedicated wide players. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, take their full-back on, and appear in scoring positions.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of a disciplined defensive presence and one with more license to support offensive play.
So how could Tuchel use these three players?
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the central striker, which in theory could allow both Bellingham and Foden to operate without the captain.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"At Manchester City, he functions as 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 make him an option as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the creative force and Kane as the nine.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the global tournament, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
