Thomas Tuchel Wants Bellingham's Passion So Long As England's Star Leaves Egotism Outside.
One snub was enough. A second one and it would have started to look vindictive from Thomas Tuchel, who is far too wily not to know that claiming the World Cup trophy demands contributions by Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally up to the player to fit into the tactical structures and team pecking order necessary with England now that he is back in Tuchel's warm embrace.
Tuchel seeks Bellingham's edge, his passion, but it is about channeling it appropriately. Skill matters but England have learned the hard way that there is a price to pay when celebrity takes over. Nevertheless, a message has been sent.
The midfielder had plenty to reflect on after being left out of the recent team selection. He watched the national side qualify at the tournament in his absence. He saw Morgan Rogers excel as a high-pressing attacking midfielder. He listened as Tuchel talk about loving the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has responded in champion style, scoring crucial goals for his club versus their rivals and the Italian side. His selection was inevitable; leaving him out again would have left his World Cup hopes in serious doubt.
The hope is that the manager will have a Bellingham concentrating on intimidating opponents rather than teammates. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is little benefit to starting a conflict with an elite performer in the world. The best outcome is that his period out of the team has shown him that representing the national team is a precious, uncertain thing. The coach, on his side, can now throw a protective shield around the 22-year-old after demonstrating that he is not afraid to make big calls.
“There is no problem with him, and no concern with the character,” the German commented. “Bellingham displays the edge. You need that kind of fire to reach the heights that he has. We all need to support him and create a setting where he can use his drive towards opponents and for the objectives we are striving for as a team.”
Bellingham dominated the spotlight at Tuchel’s squad announcement for the upcoming dead-rubber qualifiers against one opponent and the other. Who else? Indeed, how about Phil Foden? This is a further gifted No 10 requiring coaching. Foden has been absent for England since March and has struggled to hit the heights recently but Tuchel had to consider the 25-year-old after his performance in the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund this week.
The question, however, is how to use the attacking talents at the team's disposal. Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze deserve their spots and there will be compelling reasons to pick another youngster once he recovers from a fitness issue. Would taking several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be too many? Gareth Southgate failed to discover the right blend at the European Championship. He made concessions by forcing Foden and Bellingham into the starting lineup, cramping Harry Kane’s influence as a result.
It seems unlikely Tuchel doing similar if it harms the offensive structure. Space exists for a single playmaker, with quick attackers on the flanks. Clear roles is beneficial. He is selected as a No 10. The new call-up, selected for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the recalled Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no position on the wing for Foden, who must play central. The coach wants him near Kane. “It does not make sense to ask Foden: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, could you fill in at left wing? Or the right wing?” he stated. “Phil will play in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I have this idea about him for years. I think it fits his style the most.”
He agreed there are times when the player has not looked himself in an England shirt. “One senses almost like, ‘Is he truly happy? And someone of his caliber who has this childish joy to play football, then obviously something is not right, be it the position, the setup, it's unclear.
“I think he is also accustomed to representing his club in a certain structure, to have a clear task. I think he profits a lot from clear instructions. Where do you want me to be? In which positions am I to receive the ball? When should I to accelerate the match? Where do I have to defend?
Tuchel talked about Bellingham making runs for easy finishes and Foden netting strikes from 18 yards. He said he has a extended list of 60 players. Several players, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and the midfielder have been omitted. Nico O’Reilly is recognized for his excellent performances for City at defense. Intrigue is high.
The omission of Ollie Watkins means there is no like-for-like alternative for the captain in the selection. Interestingly, Tuchel hinted at using Foden as a false 9 against Serbia or Albania. Anthony Gordon, 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.
At the same time, it is also a chance to develop the understanding with Bellingham going. It is remarkable that one must look back to Bellingham setting up Kane to score in an international match against the Scots in over a year ago to discover the one and only time in many appearances for England when the duo combined for a score. Tuchel will know that the two stars only exchanged the ball a single time during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the European Championship. The connection is lacking.
“This is where eventually it falls to the duty of the individuals,” he said. He is not afraid to be blunt. Remains a sense of Bellingham having to prove himself. He cannot even be assured to start against the upcoming opponents. Tuchel desires him committed but he will be watching him carefully. Leave the ego outside. It will make a powerful squad into an superior one.