After achieving six consecutive triumphs out of six, an unbreached defense and a World Cup spot secured with two group games to spare, national team coach Thomas Tuchel might claim he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the lead-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he claimed that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Currently, if we maintain the formation, they cannot play.
"It's possible but not with current tactics, not for the balance that we established and not for the structure that also includes wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We presently employ with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but the manager's choices suggest that the Barcelona loanee and Arsenal's winger are his primary selections on the wide areas respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane operate simultaneously?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane featured in every England's seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where the England team fell to the Spanish in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the three have featured simultaneously, England have triumphed 10 times, tied three matches and suffered three losses, registering 36 scores and allowing 14 goals.
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that transforms formation when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the key creative force because of his impressive ball progression, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the number nine withdraws.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring dedicated wide players. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and arrive in the box to score.
Behind this front four, Tuchel utilizes two central midfielders consisting of one defensively strict player and a partner with attacking liberty to join the forward movement.
Foden and Bellingham would be battling with attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane expected to lead up front.
Foden could operate as the main forward, which potentially could permit both Bellingham and Foden to feature instead of Kane.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel hinted at it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a central or attacking midfielder, so perhaps in coming months we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been deployed in a versatile central position this season.
That has enabled him to operate from deeper areas and could make him an option as the advanced playmaker, paired with a defensive anchor.
This would then permit Bellingham to feature as the number 10 and Kane as the center forward.
No matter whether Tuchel chooses to configure the team like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his willingness to leave big players out in the interest of team harmony.
Marcus Sterling is a financial analyst specializing in precious metals, with over 15 years of experience in global markets and investment strategies.