Thomas Tuchel has emphasized that Jude Bellingham remains a valuable part of the England team, even though he was not part of the squad that secured qualification for the World Cup.
Bellingham’s absence was notable as England triumphed over Wales in a friendly and later qualified for next summer’s tournament in North America with a convincing 5-0 victory against Latvia.
The Real Madrid midfielder is still recovering from shoulder surgery and had not yet completed a full 90 minutes when Tuchel announced his squad, but the discussion around his omission remains significant.
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Tuchel plans to reach out to Bellingham before England’s matches against Serbia and Albania in November, potentially considering his return to the squad.
He stated, “Absolutely. Why not? He’s a crucial player; he’s a standout talent.”
“I plan to communicate with many players, especially those who will receive messages from me who weren’t included in the camp. The players who are currently present feel their achievement, and it’s essential for me to maintain contact with those eager to return.”
“No one has done anything wrong. This isn’t about punishment; it’s natural for me to communicate with them. Everyone is keen to come back, and that’s how it should be.”
“Many players out there deserve a call-up and are hungry to join us.”
The stir surrounding Bellingham’s absence intensified after Tuchel had to apologize for mistakenly claiming in an interview that his mother found the player “repulsive.”
Tuchel clarified that there are no issues between him and Bellingham, believing that if the midfielder returns, he will embrace his management style.
Regarding Bellingham and other absentees like Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Jack Grealish, Tuchel said, “I’m confident that if we extend an invitation to them, they will definitely accept.
“We wouldn’t invite them otherwise. This matter is non-negotiable.”
“I have faith in more players than are currently present. We often discuss the same names, but we also have Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, and Cole Palmer on the injury list.
“Many deserving and motivated players are eager to join us. That eagerness is essential.”