Tuchel Seeks Bellingham's Aggression So Long As The Three Lions' Star Leaves His Ego at the Door.

A single omission did the trick. A second one and it would have started to look spiteful from the England manager, who is extremely shrewd not to know that securing World Cup glory is probably going to require contributions by the talented midfielder, even if it is also on the midfielder to adapt to the strategic frameworks and team pecking order necessary with England now that he is returned to the manager's welcoming fold.

The manager wants Bellingham's edge, his passion, but it is about harnessing it constructively. Skill counts but the squad have learned the hard way that there is a price to pay when stardom takes over. Nevertheless, a message has been sent.

Bellingham had plenty to reflect on after not being selected of the recent team selection. He observed the national side book their place at the tournament without him. He watched Morgan Rogers shine as a high-pressing attacking midfielder. He listened as the coach mention loving the group’s energy and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has reacted in winning fashion, finding the back of the net for Real Madrid against Barcelona and Juventus. His selection was inevitable; leaving him out again would have left his World Cup hopes in serious doubt.

The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham focused on pressuring the opposition rather than his own colleagues. Ultimately, from a tactical perspective, there is little benefit to picking a fight with a top talent in the world. The best outcome is that Bellingham’s time on the sidelines has demonstrated that playing for one's country is a valuable, precarious thing. Tuchel, on his side, can now throw a protective shield for the youngster after demonstrating that he is not afraid to take tough decisions.

“No issue exists with him, there is no problem with the character,” the German commented. “Bellingham possesses a competitive streak. It takes a sharp mentality to achieve greatness that he has. We all need to help him and build an environment where he can use that intensity against rivals and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”

The star dominated much of the focus at the manager's selection reveal for this month’s dead-rubber qualifiers versus Serbia and Albania. Who else? Well, how about Phil Foden? This is a further gifted playmaker in need of support and direction. Foden has been absent for England since spring and has struggled to reach his best this year but the boss had to consider the 25-year-old after his performance in the Champions League match versus the German side recently.

The question, though, is how to use the attacking talents at available. Rogers and Eberechi Eze deserve their spots and there will be a good argument to pick another youngster once he recovers from a fitness issue. Is selecting five No 10s to the World Cup be excessive? The previous manager never found the correct balance at Euro 2024. He compromised by forcing Foden and Bellingham into the team, cramping Harry Kane’s style in the process.

It is hard to see the current manager doing similar if it disrupts the offensive structure. Space exists for one No 10, with fast wide players on the wings. Clarity helps. He is in as a No 10. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, selected for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the recalled Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a No 6. Additionally, there is no wide role for the City star, who must play central. The coach wants him near Kane. “It does not make sense to tell Foden: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, could you fill in at the left side? Or the other flank?’” he stated. “He is to feature in the advanced midfield role, through the center. I've long had this idea regarding him for years. In my view it matches his abilities best.”

Tuchel conceded there are occasions when the player has seemed out of sorts in an national jersey. “One senses almost like, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has this childish joy for the game, then clearly something is not right, whether it's his role, the setup, it's unclear.

“I think he is additionally accustomed to representing Man City in a certain structure, to have a clear task. Believe he profits greatly from clarity. Where do you want me to be? Where exactly am I to receive the ball? Where am I supposed to push the tempo? Where do I have to defend?

Tuchel talked about Bellingham making runs for tap-ins and Foden netting strikes from 18 yards. He said he has a longlist of 60 players. Several players, Myles Lewis-Skelly, the goalkeeper and the midfielder have been omitted. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his fine form for City at left-back. Intrigue is high.

Leaving out of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in the selection. Interestingly, Tuchel hinted at deploying the playmaker as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or Albania. Other options, the United forward, the midfielder and Jarrod Bowen are other options if Kane be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is an opportunity for a little experimentation.

Meanwhile, it is also a chance to develop the understanding with Bellingham going. It's surprising that one must look back to the latter setting up the captain to score in a friendly win versus Scotland in September 2023 to find the one and only time in many appearances for the national team when the duo combined for a score. The coach will know that Kane and Bellingham only passed to each other once during the team's ties with one opponent and another at the European Championship. Their partnership is lacking.

“At this point at some point it falls to the responsibility of the players,” he said. He is not afraid to speak frankly. Remains a feeling of Bellingham under scrutiny. He cannot even be assured to begin against Serbia and Albania. Tuchel wants Bellingham committed but he will be observing him carefully. Leave the ego at the door. It will make a powerful squad into an more effective one.