When Lee Carsley began his audition for the role of England national team boss earlier this month, he did so without some of his best players.
Sure, a refreshed Harry Kane looked back to his best after a misfiring Euro 2024 campaign, and Declan Rice remains the heartbeat of a central midfield without strict definition.
But the three men who are likely to hold court behind the captain in two years at the United 2026 World Cup were all noticeably missing in action for the Three Lions.
Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were all conspicuous by their absence as Carsley oversaw ultimately comfortable wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
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The former had not even made the squad, laid low with a leg injury before the announcement, while the latter two were forced to withdraw after initial inclusion.
Jack Grealish impressed in their stead, the Manchester City star driven by the hurt of his omission from Gareth Southgate's plans for Germany three months prior.
With no offence however, it appears that the coverted number ten role is destined for another - and despite laying first and second claim to it, Bellingham and Foden may miss out.
It seems strange to suggest that a man restricted to only 144 minutes across five games at an international tournament - all off the bench - could be the frontrunner to the role.
Throughout Germany, Palmer played third fiddle to Southgate's plans, and not necessarily without cause either after the seasons his two rivals for the role had enjoyed.
But with Bellingham and Foden frequently struggling to sync with each other, his injections as a substitute - capped by his goal in the final against Spain - highlighted his quality.
Now, in a new era, the shoe appears to be on the other foot. Palmer has made a flying start to the campaign for Chelsea, with six goals and four assists in the Premier League.
Conversely, Foden has been limited to less than an hour-and-a-half for City, while Bellingham has managed only one assist in three games for Real Madrid.
There are caveats, of course. Foden has seen his start to the season disrupted by illness, while Bellingham has only recently returned to fitness himself.
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But even if they were to have enjoyed a full slate of games, the question remains whether they would be able to match the sheer quality and results of Palmer right now.
With his trademark celebration and capacity for dazzling feats, he no longer feels like a third wheel to this trio of supremely talented footballers, but rather an integral part of the tapestry.
Additionally, Chelsea's decision to leave him out of their squad for the Europa Conference League may prove an added boon, reducing the workload next to his peers.
The trick for Carsley now comes with how he can balance them out. Southgate gave deference to Bellingham over Foden, aided by the latter's history as a wide man at club level.
As a member of the Young Lions squad that won the European Championship under him however, the interim boss may turn to Palmer as a trusted lieutenant instead.
International football can often be about familiar patterns. Southgate came under fire for the decision to retain several out-of-form stars through his tenure, like Harry Maguire.
But by and large, his choices to keep continuity were vindicated, offering a stable spine for which he could build his creative flourishes at the front and back.
If Palmer can prove himself ahead of his Bellingham and Foden, and earn Carsley's trust, then he may make himself an invaluable figure in the next stage of the Three Lions story.
There's a long road to go before England get to America. If and when they do though, expect a prime seat reserved on the plane for a man with the ice-cold touch.