Tuchel Seeks Jude Bellingham's Fire So Long As England's Ace Leaves Egotism at the Door.

One snub proved sufficient. Another and it would have started to look vindictive from the England manager, who is extremely shrewd not to realize that claiming the World Cup trophy is probably going to require the involvement of Jude Bellingham, even if it is also up to the player to adapt to the tactical structures and team pecking order necessary with the national team now that he is returned to the manager's warm embrace.

The manager desires the player's competitive fire, his passion, but it is about harnessing it constructively. Individual quality is important but England understand from past setbacks that there is a cost when celebrity takes over. Still, a point has been made.

Bellingham had plenty to reflect on after his omission of last month’s squad. He watched England secure their spot at the upcoming World Cup in his absence. He saw the young talent shine as a high-pressing attacking midfielder. He heard the coach mention valuing the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has responded in top form, finding the back of the net for Real Madrid versus their rivals and the Italian side. Inclusion was a must; another omission would have left his World Cup hopes in serious doubt.

The hope is that the manager will have a Bellingham focused on frightening rivals instead of his own colleagues. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is little benefit to picking a fight with one of the best players in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time on the sidelines has demonstrated that playing for one's country is a valuable, precarious thing. Tuchel, for his part, can now throw a protective shield for the 22-year-old after proving that he is not afraid to take tough decisions.

“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character,” the German commented. “Bellingham just has that aggression. It takes a sharp mentality to succeed at the top that he reached. Everyone need to support him and build a setting where he can use this edge against rivals and for the objectives we are building as a team.”

Bellingham dominated the spotlight at Tuchel’s squad announcement for this month’s final group games versus one opponent and Albania. Who else? Indeed, how about another talent? This is a further gifted No 10 in need of coaching. He has not played for England since spring and has found it hard to hit the heights recently but Tuchel had to consider the 25-year-old after his display in the Champions League match versus Borussia Dortmund recently.

The question, however, is how to use the attacking talents at the team's disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze merit inclusion and there will be a good argument to pick Cole Palmer once he is fit after a persistent groin problem. Is selecting several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be too many? Gareth Southgate failed to discover the right blend at Euro 2024. He compromised by squeezing both stars into the starting lineup, cramping the captain's style in the process.

It seems unlikely the current manager doing similar if it hurts the offensive structure. There is room for one No 10, with quick attackers on the flanks. Clarity helps. He is in as a central attacker. The new call-up, selected for the first time, is a central midfielder and the returning Adam Wharton will battle another player as a No 6. Additionally, there is no wide role for the City star, who has to be through the middle. The coach wants him close to Kane. “It does not make sense to ask Phil: ‘We want you in the team but there’s no space in your preferred role, could you fill in at the left side? Can you play right wing?” he said. “He will play in the No 9-10ish position, through the center. I've long had this idea about him for a long time. I think it matches his abilities the most.”

Tuchel conceded there are times when the player has seemed out of sorts in an England shirt. “One senses as if, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has obvious passion for the game, then clearly something is not right, whether it's the position, the setup, I don’t know.

“I think he is additionally accustomed to playing for his club in a specific system, to have a defined role. I think he benefits greatly from clear instructions. What is my position? Where exactly should I turn? When should I to push the tempo? Where do I have to defensive duties?”

The manager talked about Bellingham making runs for easy finishes and Foden scoring goals from outside the box. He added he has a longlist of 60 players. Several players, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his excellent performances for Manchester City at left-back. Interest is high.

Leaving out of the striker means there is no direct replacement for Kane in the selection. Fascinatingly, Tuchel hinted at using the playmaker as a deep-lying striker versus one opponent or Albania. Other options, Marcus Rashford, Bellingham and Jarrod Bowen are other options if he be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is a moment for trying new things.

At the same time, it is additionally a chance to foster the understanding with Bellingham flowing. It's surprising that you have to go back to the latter assisting the captain to net in a friendly win versus Scotland in September 2023 to find the sole instance in 35 games for the national team when the pair combined for a goal. Tuchel will know that Kane and Bellingham only exchanged the ball once during England’s draws with Denmark and Slovenia at the Euros. The connection is lacking.

“This is where eventually it falls to the responsibility of the individuals,” Tuchel stated. He does not shy away to deliver home truths. Remains a feeling of the player under scrutiny. He may not be assured to start versus the upcoming opponents. Tuchel desires Bellingham onside but he will be watching him closely. Set aside the ego outside. Doing so could turn a very strong England team into an even better one.