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Ian Darke
Thomas Tuchel has consistently shown throughout his coaching tenure with teams like Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich that he is unafraid of causing a stir or challenging authority. This boldness often results in short-lived appointments. His recent decision to exclude Jude Bellingham, England’s standout player, from the squad for matches against Wales and Latvia particularly underscores this tendency.
Regardless of how Tuchel attempts to frame it—stating that he has no issues with Bellingham—it’s clear that the England coach is sending a message that likely addresses some concerns about his most talented player. Reports from within the England camp indicate that Bellingham’s demeanor may not be well-received by all of his teammates.
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– Why has Bellingham, officially England’s best player, been dropped?
Bellingham’s perfectionist nature can sometimes project a sense of disdain towards less skilled teammates. Are these criticisms justified, or is he simply striving to elevate those around him to achieve better results? It seems he has been somewhat oblivious to the current atmosphere surrounding him.
“You definitely notice when he’s absent,” stated England teammate Anthony Gordon. “He has such a strong presence.”
There’s no doubt about Bellingham’s significance to England’s World Cup ambitions, where he serves as both a creator and a goal-scorer. If selections were to take place now, he would assuredly be part of the team. Those close to him, like his friend Jordan Henderson, highlight his exceptional character.
Returning to his days at Borussia Dortmund, there were instances when senior players felt uneasy about the then-teenager’s criticism whenever things went awry.
It’s easy to forget the rapid rise of Bellingham. He debuted with Birmingham City at just 16 and has since logged 282 club appearances and 44 caps for England, becoming a global superstar in the process. It’s natural for someone with such extraordinary success to feel a sense of elation.
However, Tuchel is emphasizing that Bellingham shouldn’t take his status for granted. The competition for the No. 10 role includes talents like Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Morgan Gibbs-White. In other words, Tuchel is stating, “Compete for your spot just like everyone else. No one is above the team.”
Last year, Tuchel startled journalists by revealing that Bellingham’s on-field conduct could even be viewed as “repulsive” by his mother. Although he has since retracted that comment and apologized, it did reveal some discontent regarding Bellingham’s behavior.
It seems Tuchel desires a refined version of Bellingham: a brilliant player who is also a team player.
But is this expectation fair? It echoes the practices of Sir Alf Ramsey, England’s only World Cup-winning manager, who often kept even his most trusted players uncertain about their positions back in 1966.
Even legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks left an England camp back then with a cheerful “See you next time, boss,” to which Ramsey coldly replied, “Will you?”
What we might be witnessing is Tuchel’s effort to form a World Cup squad that stays united and avoids the conflicts that have derailed previous campaigns for numerous teams, particularly the likes of France during their tumultuous 2010 experience, and Spain before their remarkable success in recent tournaments, which often saw players from Barcelona and Real Madrid clashing.
This week, former England star Steven Gerrard highlighted that the talented squads he was part of failed due to their “egotistical” nature and the cliques formed by players from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool players who scarcely interacted.
Thus, fostering a cohesive team spirit is essential for Tuchel, just as it was for his predecessor, Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel could have easily cited injury concerns to explain Bellingham’s exclusion, especially considering Bellingham’s recent recovery from shoulder surgery. However, Tuchel emphasized that the choice was based on performance, asserting that Bellingham had “no rhythm” in his play at the moment.
Moreover, Tuchel aimed to reward the players who delivered a notable performance, securing a 5-0 victory against Serbia, by naming an unchanged squad, though he did have to substitute injured winger Noni Madueke for Bukayo Saka.
However, it is reasonable to suggest that there is an underlying motive: the desire to head into next summer’s World Cup with a cohesive and spirited team that thrives on camaraderie, which can be crucial in tightly contested matches.
Much like Ramsey nearly six decades ago, Tuchel is determined to implement his methods, even if it ruffles some feathers. He remains unconcerned by that.
This approach is a bold yet fitting one. Bellingham will undoubtedly return to the squad eager to prove his value. As a world-class player and a person of character, he is likely already aware of the lessons his coach is imparting. This experience could one day prompt him to reflect on how being left out motivated him to become an even greater asset to the team.