Tuchel Seeks Jude Bellingham's Aggression So Long As England's Ace Leaves His Ego Outside.
One snub was enough. A second one and it could have seemed spiteful from the England manager, a coach who is extremely shrewd not to know that securing World Cup glory is probably going to require contributions by the talented midfielder, although it is also Bellingham's responsibility to adapt to the game plans and squad hierarchies required with the national team now that he is back in the manager's warm embrace.
The manager wants his aggressive mentality, his fire, but it is a matter of using it appropriately. Skill matters but England understand from past setbacks that there is a price to pay when fame prevails. Still, a message has been sent.
The midfielder had much to ponder after not being selected of the recent team selection. He watched the national side secure their spot at the upcoming World Cup without him. He saw Morgan Rogers excel as a high-pressing No 10. He listened as Tuchel mention valuing the group’s energy and ethics. Inevitably, he has reacted in top form, scoring crucial goals for Real Madrid versus their rivals and the Italian side. His selection was inevitable; a second snub would have made his squad place hanging by a thread.
The expectation is that Tuchel will have a midfielder concentrating on frightening rivals instead of his own colleagues. Ultimately, on a pure footballing level, there is no advantage to picking a fight with a top talent in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time not playing has demonstrated that representing the national team is a precious, uncertain thing. Tuchel, for his part, can now offer support for the youngster after proving that he is willing to drop big names.
“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character,” Tuchel commented. “Bellingham displays the edge. You need a sharp mentality to succeed at the top that he has. We all need to help him and create a setting where he can channel this edge in matches and in pursuit of success we are building as a team.”
Bellingham dominated much of the focus at the manager's selection reveal for this month’s dead-rubber qualifiers versus one opponent and the other. Any other news? Well, what about Phil Foden? Here is another prodigious No 10 in need of love and guidance. He has been absent for the national team since March and has struggled to perform well this year but Tuchel could not ignore the 25-year-old after how he played in his club's victory versus the German side this week.
The question, though, is the best way to deploy the multiple playmakers at the team's disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze deserve their spots and there will be a strong case to pick Cole Palmer once he overcomes a fitness issue. Is selecting multiple creators to the World Cup be excessive? Gareth Southgate never found the optimal mix at Euro 2024. He made concessions by forcing both stars into the same XI, restricting Harry Kane’s influence in the process.
It is hard to see the current manager repeating that if it hurts the attacking balance. There is room for a single playmaker, with quick attackers on the wings. Clear roles helps. Bellingham is in as a central attacker. The new call-up, selected for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the recalled Adam Wharton will battle another player as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no position on the wing for Foden, who must play central. The coach prefers him close to the striker. “It does not make sense to ask Foden: ‘You are needed on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, could you fill in at left wing? Can you play other flank?’” he said. “Phil is to feature in the No 9-10ish position, through the center. I've long had this fantasy regarding him for years. In my view it suits him the most.”
Tuchel agreed there are occasions when the player has seemed out of sorts in an England shirt. “You feel almost like, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has this childish joy for the game, then obviously something is not right, be it his role, the environment, I don’t know.
“I think he is also so used to playing for his club in a specific system, to have a clear task. Believe he profits a lot from clarity. What is my position? In which positions should I turn? Where am I supposed to push the tempo? Where do I have to defensive duties?”
The manager talked about one star making runs for easy finishes and the other scoring goals from 18 yards. He said he has a longlist of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, others, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have dropped out. A new face is rewarded for his excellent performances for Manchester City at left-back. Intrigue is high.
Leaving out of Ollie Watkins means there is no like-for-like alternative for the captain in this squad. Interestingly, he suggested deploying the playmaker as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or the other. Other options, Marcus Rashford, the midfielder and the winger are alternatives if he be absent. Since the place is booked, this is a moment for testing tactics.
Meanwhile, it is additionally a moment to foster the understanding with Bellingham going. It's surprising that you have to go back to the latter setting up the captain to score in an international match versus Scotland in September 2023 to find the one and only time in many appearances for the national team when the pair combined for a goal. The coach will know that Kane and Bellingham only passed to each other a single time during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the Euros. The connection is missing.
“This is where eventually it becomes the responsibility of the individuals,” he said. He is not afraid to be blunt. Remains a feeling of Bellingham having to prove himself. He may not be guaranteed to begin versus Serbia and Albania. The manager desires him onside but he will be watching him carefully. Set aside self-importance at the door. It will make a very strong England team into an even better one.