Tuchel Seeks Bellingham's Passion So Long As The Three Lions' Star Leaves His Ego at the Door.
One snub proved sufficient. Another and it could have seemed spiteful from the England manager, a coach who is extremely shrewd not to realize that winning the World Cup is probably going to require contributions by Jude Bellingham, although it is equally on the midfielder to fit into the strategic frameworks and squad hierarchies necessary with England now that he is returned to Tuchel's welcoming fold.
Tuchel wants Bellingham's edge, his passion, but it is a matter of harnessing it constructively. Personal talent is important but the squad have learned the hard way that there is a price to pay when fame takes over. Still, a statement has been delivered.
Bellingham was given food for thought after not being selected of last month’s squad. He watched England qualify at the tournament in his absence. He watched the young talent shine as a counterpressing attacking midfielder. He listened as Tuchel mention loving the group’s energy and principles. Naturally, he has reacted in top form, scoring crucial goals for Real Madrid against Barcelona and the Italian side. He had to be picked; leaving him out again would have put his tournament chances hanging by a thread.
The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham focused on frightening rivals rather than teammates. Ultimately, from a tactical perspective, there is no value to starting a conflict with an elite performer in the world. The ideal scenario is that Bellingham’s time not playing has demonstrated that playing for one's country is a precious, uncertain thing. Tuchel, for his part, can now throw a protective shield around the 22-year-old after demonstrating that he is willing to make big calls.
“No issue exists regarding him, there is no problem about his personality,” the German commented. “Bellingham just has the edge. You need that kind of fire to reach the heights that he has. Everyone need to help him and establish an environment which he can use that intensity towards opponents and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”
The star dominated most of the attention at the manager's selection reveal for the upcoming meaningless matches versus one opponent and the other. Any other news? Indeed, what about another talent? This is another prodigious No 10 who needs support and direction. He has not played for England since March and has found it hard to perform well this year but Tuchel could not ignore the 25-year-old after his display in his club's victory against Borussia Dortmund this week.
The issue, however, is how to use the attacking talents at available. Rogers and Eze deserve their spots and there will be a strong case to include Cole Palmer once he recovers from a fitness issue. Would taking several attacking midfielders to the tournament be too many? The previous manager never found the right blend at the European Championship. He compromised by squeezing both stars into the starting lineup, restricting the captain's style as a result.
It is hard to see Tuchel making the same mistake if it hurts the offensive structure. There is room for a single playmaker, with speedy wingers on the flanks. Clarity is beneficial. He is in as a central attacker. The new call-up, called up for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the returning Wharton will compete with another player as a No 6. There will also be no wide role for the City star, who must play central. The coach prefers him near the striker. “It is illogical to ask Foden: ‘You are needed on the pitch but there’s no space in your preferred role, can you play left wing? Can you play other flank?’” he said. “Phil will play in the advanced midfield role, in the middle of the pitch. I've long had this vision about him for years. In my view it fits his style best.”
Tuchel agreed there are occasions when Foden has seemed out of sorts in an national jersey. “You feel as if, ‘Does he like it?’ And someone of his caliber who has obvious passion for the game, then clearly something is not right, be it the position, the environment, it's unclear.
“I think he is also accustomed to representing his club in a certain structure, with a defined role. Believe he benefits a lot from clarity. Where do you want me to be? Where exactly am I to receive the ball? When should I to push the tempo? What are my to defend?
Tuchel mentioned Bellingham making runs for tap-ins and Foden scoring goals from outside the box. He said he has a longlist of 60 players. Several players, others, James Trafford and the midfielder have been omitted. A new face is rewarded for his excellent performances for City at left-back. Interest is high.
Leaving out of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in the selection. Interestingly, Tuchel suggested using Foden as a deep-lying striker against Serbia or the other. Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Bellingham and Jarrod Bowen are other options if Kane be absent. With qualification secured, this is an opportunity for trying new things.
Meanwhile, it is additionally a chance to foster Kane’s relationship with Bellingham flowing. It is remarkable that you have to go back to Bellingham assisting Kane to net in an international match versus Scotland in over a year ago to find the sole instance in 35 games for the national team when the duo linked up for a goal. The coach will be aware that the two stars only passed to each other a single time during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the Euros. Their partnership is lacking.
“This is where eventually it falls to the duty of the players,” Tuchel stated. He does not shy away to deliver home truths. Remains a sense of Bellingham having to prove himself. He cannot even be assured to start versus Serbia and Albania. Tuchel wants him committed but he will be monitoring him carefully. Set aside self-importance at the door. It will make a powerful England team into an more effective one.