Thomas Tuchel Seeks Bellingham's Fire So Long As England's Ace Sets Aside Egotism at the Door.
A single omission proved sufficient. A second one and it would have started to look spiteful from the England manager, who is much too clever not to understand that securing World Cup glory is probably going to require help from the talented midfielder, although it is equally Bellingham's responsibility to adapt to the strategic frameworks and player rankings necessary with England now that he is back in Tuchel's supportive environment.
The manager desires his aggressive mentality, his passion, but it is a matter of harnessing it in the right way. Personal talent matters but the squad understand from past setbacks that there is a price to pay when stardom dominates. Nevertheless, a message has been sent.
The midfielder was given food for thought after not being selected of the recent team selection. He observed England qualify at next summer’s World Cup without him. He saw Morgan Rogers excel as a high-pressing No 10. He listened as the coach mention appreciating the team's dynamism and principles. Naturally, he has reacted in champion style, netting important strikes for his club against Barcelona and Juventus. Inclusion was a must; leaving him out again would have left his World Cup hopes in serious doubt.
The hope is that the manager will have a midfielder directed towards intimidating opponents instead of teammates. Ultimately, on a pure footballing level, there is no advantage to picking a fight with one of the best players in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time out of the team has made him realize that an international career is a precious, precarious thing. The coach, on his side, can now throw a protective shield for the 22-year-old after demonstrating that he is not afraid to drop big names.
“There is no problem with him, and no concern with the character,” Tuchel commented. “Bellingham displays the edge. You need a sharp mentality to reach the heights that he has. We all must support him and build an environment which he can use that intensity against rivals and in pursuit of success we are working towards as a team.”
Bellingham dominated the spotlight at the team news conference for this month’s final group games against one opponent and Albania. Any other news? Indeed, how about another talent? Here is another prodigious No 10 requiring coaching. Foden has been absent for England since spring and has struggled to perform well recently but the boss could not ignore the 25-year-old after his display in the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund this week.
The question, though, is how to use the attacking talents at available. Rogers and Eze have earned their places and there will be a strong case to pick another youngster once he recovers from a fitness issue. Would taking several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be an overkill? The previous manager never found the optimal mix at Euro 2024. He made concessions by squeezing both stars into the same XI, restricting Harry Kane’s game as a result.
It seems unlikely the current manager making the same mistake if it disrupts the attacking balance. Space exists for one No 10, with speedy wingers on the wings. Clear roles is beneficial. He is in as a No 10. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, called up for the first time, is a central midfielder and the recalled Wharton will compete with another player as a No 6. Additionally, there is no wide role for the City star, who must play central. The coach prefers him close to the striker. “It is illogical to ask Foden: ‘We want you in the team but no spot exists on your best position, could you fill in at the left side? Can you play other flank?’” he said. “Phil is to feature in the advanced midfield role, through the center. I've long had this fantasy regarding him for a long time. I think it fits his style the most.”
He conceded there are occasions when the player has seemed out of sorts in an England shirt. “You feel almost like, ‘Is he truly happy? And someone of his caliber who has this childish joy to play football, then clearly an issue exists, be it the position, the environment, it's unclear.
“In my opinion he is also accustomed to representing his club in a certain structure, with a defined role. I think he benefits greatly from clear instructions. Where do you want me to be? In which positions should I turn? Where am I supposed to accelerate the match? Where do I have to defend?
The manager talked about Bellingham making runs for easy finishes and Foden drilling in strikes from 18 yards. He said he has a extended list of many candidates. Morgan Gibbs-White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his good displays for City at left-back. Interest abounds.
Leaving out of Ollie Watkins means there is no direct replacement for the captain in the selection. Interestingly, Tuchel hinted at deploying Foden as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or the other. Anthony Gordon, the United forward, Bellingham and the winger are alternatives should Kane be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is an opportunity for trying new things.
At the same time, it is additionally a chance to get Kane’s relationship with his teammate going. It is remarkable that you have to go back to the latter setting up Kane to score in a friendly win against Scotland in September 2023 to find the one and only time in 35 games for the national team when the pair linked up for a goal. Tuchel will know that the two stars only passed to each other once during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the European Championship. The connection is missing.
“At this point eventually it becomes the duty of the players,” he said. He does not shy away to be blunt. There is still a sense of Bellingham being on trial. He cannot even be guaranteed to begin versus the upcoming opponents. The manager wants him onside but he will be monitoring him closely. Set aside the ego at the door. It will make a very strong squad into an even better one.
