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

A single omission 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 will likely need help from Jude Bellingham, even if it is also on the midfielder to adapt to the tactical structures and squad hierarchies necessary with England now that he is back in Tuchel's supportive environment.

Tuchel seeks Bellingham's edge, his fire, but it is about harnessing it in the right way. Skill is important but England know from bitter experience that there is a price to pay when stardom prevails. Still, a statement has been delivered.

The midfielder had much to ponder after his omission of the recent team selection. He observed the national side qualify at next summer’s World Cup in his absence. He watched the young talent shine as a high-pressing No 10. He listened as Tuchel talk about appreciating the squad's spirit and values. Naturally, he has responded in champion style, scoring crucial goals for his club versus their rivals and Juventus. Inclusion was a must; another omission would have left his World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

The hope is that Tuchel will have a Bellingham directed towards frightening rivals instead of his own colleagues. 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 Bellingham’s time not playing has shown him that an international career is a valuable, precarious thing. Tuchel, on his side, can now offer support for the youngster after showing that he is unafraid to make big calls.

“There is no problem regarding him, there is no problem about his personality,” Tuchel stated. “Jude just has the edge. It takes that kind of fire to achieve greatness that he has. Everyone need to support him and establish an environment which he can use this edge in matches and in pursuit of success we are building as a team.”

The star took up much of the focus at Tuchel’s squad announcement for the upcoming meaningless matches versus one opponent and Albania. Any other news? Indeed, how about Phil Foden? This is another prodigious playmaker in need of coaching. Foden has not played for England since March and has struggled to reach his best recently but Tuchel could not ignore the player after his performance in the Champions League match versus Borussia Dortmund this week.

The question, however, is the best way to deploy the attacking talents at the team's disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze merit inclusion and there will be a strong case to include Cole Palmer once he recovers from a persistent groin problem. Would taking several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be an overkill? The previous manager failed to discover the correct balance at the European Championship. He made concessions by forcing Foden and Bellingham into the team, restricting Harry Kane’s influence in the process.

It seems unlikely the current manager making the same mistake if it disrupts the team harmony. There is room for one No 10, with speedy wingers on the wings. Clarity helps. He is selected as a central attacker. The new call-up, selected for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the returning Adam Wharton will compete with another player as a No 6. Additionally, there is no position on the wing for Foden, who must play central. Tuchel wants him near the striker. “It is illogical to tell Foden: ‘You are needed in the team but there’s no space on your best position, could you fill in at left wing? Can you play right wing?” he stated. “He will play in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I've long had this vision regarding him for years. I think it suits him the most.”

He agreed there are occasions when Foden has appeared uncomfortable in an national jersey. “One senses almost like, ‘Is he truly happy? And a player like him who has obvious passion for the game, then clearly an issue exists, be it his role, the setup, it's unclear.

“I think he is additionally so used to representing Man City in a particular setup, to have a defined role. Believe he profits a lot 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 defend?

Tuchel talked about one star making runs for tap-ins and the other scoring strikes from outside the box. He said he has a extended list of 60 players. Several players, others, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been omitted. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his good displays for Manchester City at defense. Interest is high.

Leaving out of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in the selection. Fascinatingly, Tuchel suggested deploying the playmaker as a false 9 versus Serbia or Albania. Other options, Marcus Rashford, the midfielder and the winger are other options should he be absent. With qualification secured, this is a moment for trying new things.

Meanwhile, it is also a chance to develop Kane’s relationship with Bellingham flowing. It is remarkable that you have to go back to the latter assisting Kane to net in an international match versus the Scots in September 2023 to find the one and only time in many appearances for England when the pair combined for a score. Tuchel will be aware that Kane and Bellingham only passed to each other a single time during the team's ties with Denmark and Slovenia at the Euros. The connection is lacking.

“This is where at some point it becomes the responsibility of the players,” he said. He is not afraid to be blunt. There is still a feeling of the player having to prove himself. He may not be assured to begin versus the upcoming opponents. Tuchel wants him committed but he will be observing him closely. Leave self-importance outside. Doing so could turn a very strong squad into an superior one.