Having secured six victories from six matches, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel might claim he has made the right selection choices.
However, in the build-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he said that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play 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 developed and not in this formation that comes also with wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
Foden and Bellingham have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his primary selections on the left and right flank respectively.
The question remains whether Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England's seven fixtures at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and been defeated three times, scoring 36 times and letting in 14 strikes.
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
The young midfielder has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars consistently operate in wide areas and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel employs a double pivot consisting of one defensively strict player and one with more license to join the forward movement.
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against other creative midfielders for the number 10 role, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could play as the main forward, which theoretically could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could coexist effectively and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"For Man City, he plays almost like a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could make him an option as the number eight, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his preparedness to omit established stars in the name of balance.
A software engineer and tech writer passionate about open-source projects and AI advancements.
