Tuchel Wants Jude Bellingham's Fire So Long As The Three Lions' Ace Leaves Egotism at the Door.
A single omission proved sufficient. Another and it would have started to look vindictive from the England manager, a coach who is extremely shrewd not to know that winning the World Cup is probably going to require help from Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally on the midfielder to blend into the tactical structures and team pecking order required with England now that he is back in Tuchel's supportive environment.
Tuchel wants Bellingham's edge, his fire, but it is a matter of harnessing it constructively. Individual quality matters but England know from bitter experience that there is consequences when stardom takes over. Still, a statement has been delivered.
Bellingham was given food for thought after his omission of the recent team selection. He watched England qualify at the upcoming World Cup without him. He watched the young talent perform brilliantly as a counterpressing No 10. He heard the coach talk about loving the team's dynamism and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has responded in champion style, scoring crucial goals for his club against their rivals and Juventus. Inclusion was a must; a second snub would have put his tournament chances hanging by a thread.
The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham concentrating on frightening rivals instead of teammates. After all, from a tactical perspective, there is no value to creating tension with an elite performer in the world. The best outcome is that his period out of the team has demonstrated that an international career is a valuable, precarious thing. The coach, for his part, can now offer support for the youngster after demonstrating that he is willing to make big calls.
“No issue exists with him, there is no problem about his personality,” the German said. “Bellingham displays a competitive streak. You need a certain edge to succeed at the top that he has. We all must support him and create a setting where he can channel this edge against rivals and in pursuit of success we are working towards as a team.”
The star dominated much of the focus at the team news conference for this month’s meaningless matches versus one opponent and Albania. Who else? Well, how about Phil Foden? Here is a further gifted playmaker who needs love and guidance. He has not played for the national team since spring and has struggled to perform well this year but the boss had to consider the player after his display in the Champions League match versus the German side this week.
The question, however, is how to use the multiple playmakers at available. Rogers and Eze deserve their spots and there will be a strong case to pick Cole Palmer once he overcomes a fitness issue. Is selecting several attacking midfielders to the tournament be an overkill? Gareth Southgate never found the right blend at Euro 2024. He compromised by squeezing both stars into the starting lineup, cramping Harry Kane’s game in the process.
It seems unlikely the current manager making the same mistake if it disrupts the team harmony. Space exists for a single playmaker, with fast wide players on the flanks. Clear roles is beneficial. He is in as a central attacker. The new call-up, called up for the first time, is a No 8 and the returning Adam Wharton will battle Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. Additionally, there is no position on the wing for Foden, who must play through the middle. The coach prefers him close to Kane. “It does not make sense to tell Phil: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists on your best position, can you play the left side? Can you play other flank?’” he said. “He is to feature in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I have this vision regarding him for a long time. I think it suits him best.”
Tuchel conceded there are times when Foden has appeared uncomfortable in an national jersey. “One senses as if, ‘Does he like it?’ And someone of his caliber who has obvious passion to play football, then clearly something is not right, be it the position, the setup, I don’t know.
“I think he is also so used to playing for Man City in a specific system, with a defined role. I think he benefits a lot from clarity. What is my position? In which positions am I to receive the ball? Where am I supposed to accelerate the match? What are my to defensive duties?”
The manager discussed one star making runs for easy finishes and Foden drilling in goals from outside the box. He added he has a extended list of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, the goalkeeper and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been omitted. A new face is recognized for his good displays for Manchester City at left-back. Interest abounds.
The omission of Ollie Watkins means there is no direct replacement for the captain in this squad. Interestingly, Tuchel suggested deploying the playmaker as a deep-lying striker versus Serbia or the other. Other options, the United forward, the midfielder and Jarrod Bowen are other options if Kane be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is an opportunity for trying new things.
At the same time, it is also a chance to foster Kane’s relationship with his teammate going. It's surprising that one must look back to Bellingham setting up Kane to net in an international match against Scotland in over a year ago to discover the one and only time in many appearances for England when the pair combined for a goal. Tuchel will know that the two stars only passed to each other a single time during England’s draws with Denmark and Slovenia at the Euros. Their partnership is lacking.
“This is where eventually it falls to the duty of the players,” Tuchel said. He does not shy away to be blunt. Remains a feeling of Bellingham having to prove himself. He cannot even be guaranteed to begin against Serbia and Albania. Tuchel wants Bellingham onside but he will be observing him closely. Set aside self-importance outside. It will make a powerful squad into an even better one.