One of the biggest talking points around Thomas Tuchel's team selection going into England's final two fixtures of their World Cup qualifying campaign was his public declaration that Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham couldn't play in the same team.
The comments fitted the narrative that Tuchel has steadily built throughout his short Three Lions spell; that the team is more important than any individual, and that only so many star players can successfully coexist in any team.
England fans were a little surprised, therefore, when Foden was subbed on in the 62nd minute of England's 2-0 victory over Albania on Sunday night, partnering Bellingham in midfield and playing behind Kane.
Tuchel said Kane, Foden and Bellingham Couldn't Co-Exist
Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England vs Albania
Speaking ahead of the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Serbia, Tuchel strongly suggested to reporters that he'd decided he couldn't play Kane, Bellingham and Foden in the same England XI. The comments divided opinion, but many could see the logic in the England gaffer's words. He said...
"At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play. They can, but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed and not for the structure that comes also with wingers who are like specialists in their positions. We play at the moment with a six, eight, a 10 and a nine."
However, it now appears Tuchel was talking more strictly about using those players in his preferred formation - a conventional 4-3-3 - rather than ruling out the possibility of them ever playing together under him.
England Boss Explains Change in Stance
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the latest England squad announcement.
At Sunday's post-match press conference after the 2-0 win over Albania, Tuchel was quizzed on his decision to bring on Foden and whether that contradicted what he'd previously said about England team selections. The Three Lions manager explained his stance.
"I thought about this when we made the substitution. First of all, it was a very offensive substitution so we played with two No.10s, real No.10s, in the second half. I wanted to give the signal to the team to keep on pushing towards goal with an offensive substitution. And the defensive structure today did not demand two No.6s. The defensive structure started from a man-to-man orientation, three against three in midfield, and for Declan it was a No.6, so a very high position to play defensively.
"If it was in a deeper position like against Serbia where we defended in a 4-2-3-1, I would not have done it. But we saw that they don't change their shape and we saw that we can play with two No.10s and a No.9, so slightly different profiles to No.6, No.8, No.10, and Phil [Foden] is just in shape at the moment, you can see it in the tight spaces - the first touches, the turns and he's so safe on the ball. And we provided straight away a threat. It was nice to see the impact again from the bench."
So it seems Tuchel's stance on playing arguably England's three most talented players together isn't a strict rule, but a tactical practicality that can change depending on the situation. It suggests we might well see Bellingham and Foden on the pitch together behind Kane against certain opposition, particularly those who set up deep and play with two holding midfielders.
Whether Tuchel will be that bold in playing two No.10s, as he sees it, at the World Cup where any defensive lapse can lead to elimination, is another matter.