After achieving six consecutive triumphs in six games, zero goals allowed and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, national team coach Thomas Tuchel could suggest he has got all of his big qualifying decisions correct.
Yet, in the build-up to Thursday's domestic match against Serbia, he raised questions when he said that three of the nation's top talents - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - are unable to feature in the identical lineup.
"Presently, if we stick with the system, they won't fit together.
"It's possible but not within this system, not maintaining equilibrium that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are essentially experts in their positions. We currently utilize with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
Foden and Bellingham have been deployed on the flanks for England in the past, but his team selections imply that Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the wing positions respectively.
But can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
The previous England manager apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven fixtures at last summer's tournament in Germany, where the England team lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 matches the stars have performed together, England have secured 10 victories, shared points three times and lost three, scoring 36 times and conceding 14.
Strategic view: Versatile Foden offers solutions
Tuchel has played a 4-2-3-1 system that changes shape when England attack.
Morgan Rogers has been the main number 10 because of his impressive ball progression, strike quality and ability to attack the box when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has mentioned preferring specialist wingers. The Arsenal and Newcastle stars regularly feature on the wings and can hold the ball well, challenge defenders, and appear in scoring positions.
Behind this front four, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and one with more license to contribute to the attack.
Potential configurations for England's stars
Foden and Bellingham would be competing with other creative midfielders for the attacking midfield position, with Kane probably featuring up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which in theory could enable both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is a potential solution all three could play in this system and Tuchel suggested it this week.
"With his club, he operates similarly to a box-to-box or creative role, so potentially in future we view him as a central midfielder," he said.
Foden has been used in a more all-purpose midfield role this season.
That has permitted him to contribute from midfield and could categorize him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then enable Bellingham to operate as the number 10 and Kane as the nine.
No matter whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what seems encouraging is his readiness to exclude star names in the name of balance.
