Tuchel Wants Bellingham's Aggression Provided England's Star Leaves Egotism Outside.
A single omission did the trick. Another and it would have started to look vindictive 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 the talented midfielder, although it is equally on the midfielder to adapt to the tactical structures and squad hierarchies required with England now that he is returned to Tuchel's warm embrace.
The manager desires his aggressive mentality, his fire, but it is about channeling it constructively. Personal talent is important but England have learned the hard way that there is a price to pay when stardom dominates. Nevertheless, a statement has been delivered.
The midfielder was given food for thought after his omission of the recent team selection. He watched the national side qualify at the upcoming World Cup without him. He saw the young talent excel as a counterpressing No 10. He listened as Tuchel mention valuing the team's dynamism and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has reacted in winning fashion, scoring crucial goals for Real Madrid against their rivals and the Italian side. Inclusion was a must; leaving him out again would have put his tournament chances hanging by a thread.
The hope is that Tuchel will have a midfielder directed towards pressuring the opposition rather than his own colleagues. Ultimately, from a tactical perspective, there is no advantage to picking a fight with one of the best players in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time not playing has demonstrated that an international career is a precious, precarious thing. The coach, for his part, can now offer support for the youngster after demonstrating that he is not afraid to drop big names.
“No issue exists with him, there is no problem with the character,” the German commented. “Bellingham displays that aggression. It takes that kind of fire to reach the heights that he has. Everyone need to help him and establish a setting where he can use this edge towards opponents and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”
Bellingham dominated most of the attention at Tuchel’s squad announcement for the upcoming dead-rubber qualifiers versus Serbia and Albania. Who else? Indeed, what about Phil Foden? Here is another prodigious No 10 in need of support and direction. He has not played for England since spring and has struggled to perform well this year but Tuchel had to consider the player after his performance in the Champions League match versus the German side recently.
The question, however, is how to use the attacking talents at available. Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze deserve their spots and there will be compelling reasons to pick another youngster once he overcomes a fitness issue. Is selecting several attacking midfielders to the World Cup be too many? The previous manager never found the correct balance at Euro 2024. He compromised by squeezing Foden and Bellingham into the same XI, restricting Harry Kane’s influence in the process.
It is hard to see Tuchel doing similar if it disrupts the attacking balance. There is room for one No 10, with speedy wingers on the wings. Clarity is beneficial. He is selected as a central attacker. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, selected for the first time, is a central midfielder and the returning Wharton will battle another player as a defensive midfielder. Additionally, there is no position on the wing for the City star, who must play central. The coach wants him close to the striker. “It is illogical to ask Foden: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, can you play left wing? Or the right wing?” he stated. “Phil is to feature in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I've long had this fantasy regarding him for a long time. I think it fits his style best.”
He agreed there are occasions when Foden has appeared uncomfortable in an national jersey. “One senses almost like, ‘Does he like it?’ And a player like him who has this childish joy to play football, then clearly an issue exists, be it his role, the setup, I don’t know.
“I think he is also so used to representing Man City in a specific system, to have a clear task. Believe he benefits a lot from clear instructions. What is my position? Where exactly should I turn? Where am I supposed to push the tempo? Where do I have to defend?
Tuchel discussed one star bursting through for tap-ins and the other netting strikes from outside the box. He added he has a longlist of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, the goalkeeper and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his excellent performances for City at defense. Interest abounds.
Leaving out of Ollie Watkins means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in the selection. Fascinatingly, Tuchel suggested using Foden as a false 9 versus one opponent or the other. Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, the midfielder and Jarrod Bowen are other options if Kane be absent. With qualification secured, this is an opportunity for testing tactics.
Meanwhile, it is also a moment to develop the understanding with Bellingham going. It is remarkable that one must look back to the latter setting up the captain to score in a friendly win versus the Scots in over a year ago to discover the sole instance in 35 games for England when the duo combined for a score. The coach will be aware that Kane and Bellingham only passed to each other a single time during England’s draws with Denmark and another at the Euros. The connection is missing.
“At this point eventually it falls to the duty of the players,” he stated. He does not shy away to be blunt. There is still a feeling of the player being on trial. He may not be assured to begin versus Serbia and Albania. Tuchel desires Bellingham onside but he will be monitoring him carefully. Set aside self-importance at the door. It will make a very strong squad into an superior one.