Thomas Tuchel Seeks Bellingham's Aggression Provided England's Star Sets Aside His Ego at the Door.
A single omission was enough. A second one and it would have started to look spiteful from Thomas Tuchel, who is far too wily not to understand that claiming the World Cup trophy demands the involvement of Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally on the midfielder to blend into the tactical structures and player rankings necessary with the national team now that he is returned to Tuchel's warm embrace.
Tuchel wants the player's competitive fire, his fire, but it is a matter of channeling it in the right way. Personal talent matters but the squad understand from past setbacks that there is a cost when celebrity dominates. Still, a point has been made.
The midfielder had plenty to reflect on after not being selected of the previous squad. He observed the national side qualify at next summer’s World Cup in his absence. He watched Morgan Rogers excel as a high-pressing No 10. He heard the coach mention appreciating the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has reacted in champion style, netting important strikes for his club versus Barcelona and Juventus. He had to be picked; another omission would have left his World Cup hopes precarious.
The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham directed towards pressuring the opposition rather than teammates. Ultimately, in purely sporting terms, there is little benefit to creating tension with a top talent in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time on the sidelines has demonstrated that representing the national team is a precious, 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 drop big names.
“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character,” Tuchel said. “Bellingham displays the edge. You need a certain edge to succeed at the top that he reached. We all need to support him and establish a atmosphere where he can use this edge in matches and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”
The star dominated the spotlight at the team news conference for this month’s dead-rubber qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. Who else? Well, what about Phil Foden? Here is another prodigious No 10 who needs coaching. Foden has been absent for England since March and has found it hard to hit the heights this year but the boss was impressed by the 25-year-old after his performance in the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund this week.
The question, though, is how to use the attacking talents at the team's disposal. Rogers and Eze merit inclusion and there will be a good argument to select Cole Palmer once he is fit after a ongoing injury. Would taking several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be an overkill? Gareth Southgate never found the correct balance at the European Championship. He compromised by forcing both stars into the team, restricting the captain's game as a result.
It is hard to see Tuchel doing similar if it harms the attacking balance. Space exists for one No 10, with speedy wingers on the flanks. Clarity is beneficial. Bellingham is in as a No 10. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, called up for the first occasion, is a central midfielder and the recalled Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no wide role for Foden, who must play through the middle. The coach prefers him near the striker. “It is illogical to ask Foden: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, could you fill in at the left side? Or the other flank?’” he stated. “He is to feature in the central attacking zone, through the center. I've long had this fantasy regarding him for years. I think it fits his style the most.”
Tuchel conceded there are times when the player has appeared uncomfortable in an England shirt. “One senses as if, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has this childish joy to play football, then obviously something is not right, whether it's his role, the environment, it's unclear.
“In my opinion he is also accustomed to playing for his club in a certain structure, with a clear task. I think he profits greatly from clear instructions. Where do you want me to be? In which positions am I to receive the ball? Where am I supposed to push the tempo? Where do I have to defensive duties?”
Tuchel mentioned one star making runs for easy finishes and the other drilling in strikes from outside the box. He said he has a longlist of many candidates. Morgan Gibbs-White, others, 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 this squad. Fascinatingly, he hinted at using Foden as a deep-lying striker against Serbia or Albania. Anthony Gordon, the United forward, the midfielder and Jarrod Bowen are alternatives should Kane be absent. Since the place is booked, this is an opportunity for trying new things.
At the same time, it is additionally a moment to foster Kane’s relationship with his teammate flowing. It's surprising that one must look back to Bellingham setting up Kane to net in an international match against the Scots in over a year ago to find the sole instance in many appearances for the national team when the duo linked up for a score. Tuchel will be aware that Kane and Bellingham only exchanged the ball a single time during the team's ties with one opponent and Slovenia at the Euros. Their partnership is lacking.
“This is where eventually it becomes the responsibility of the players,” Tuchel said. He does not shy away to deliver home truths. There is still a feeling of the player being on trial. He may not be guaranteed to begin against Serbia and Albania. The manager wants him onside but he will be observing him closely. Set aside self-importance at the door. Doing so could turn a very strong England team into an even better one.
