With six wins in six games, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification confirmed with matches remaining, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel can argue he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
Yet, in the preparation for Thursday's Wembley encounter against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the England's elite footballers - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the same team.
"Presently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not in the structure, not maintaining equilibrium that we established and not in this formation that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but the manager's choices indicate that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Former Three Lions boss certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven matches at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate's side were defeated by Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the trio have played together, England have triumphed 10 times, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and allowing 14 goals.
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his strong ball-carrying, ball-striking and ability to attack the box when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has spoken about preferring specialist wingers. Saka and Gordon regularly feature on the wings and can retain the ball skillfully, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Supporting the attacking quartet, 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 competing with attacking alternatives for the attacking midfield position, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could feature as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he plays almost like a box-to-box or creative role, so maybe during the next months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the central midfielder, next to a more defensive number six.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the attacking midfielder and Kane as the striker.
No matter whether Tuchel opts to structure the side like this at the global tournament, what bodes well is his willingness to leave big players out in the pursuit of tactical equilibrium.
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