Tuchel Seeks Bellingham's Aggression So Long As The Three Lions' Ace Leaves Egotism at the Door.
A single omission did the trick. A second one and it might have appeared spiteful from the England manager, who is much too clever not to understand that claiming the World Cup trophy demands contributions by the talented midfielder, although it is also up to the player to adapt to the tactical structures and squad hierarchies essential with the national team now that he is back in the manager's supportive environment.
Tuchel wants his aggressive mentality, his intensity, but it is a matter of channeling it in the right way. Personal talent is important but England understand from past setbacks that there is consequences when fame takes over. Still, a point has been made.
The midfielder had much to ponder after not being selected of the recent team selection. He watched England secure their spot at the tournament in his absence. He saw the young talent shine as a counterpressing No 10. He listened as the coach talk about valuing the group’s energy and ethics. Naturally, Bellingham has reacted in top form, netting important strikes for his club against their rivals and the Italian side. His selection was inevitable; leaving him out again would have left his World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
The expectation is that Tuchel will have a Bellingham directed towards frightening rivals instead of teammates. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is no value to starting a conflict with a top talent in the world. The ideal scenario is that Bellingham’s time not playing has made him realize that an international career is a precious, uncertain thing. Tuchel, on his side, can now throw a protective shield around the youngster after showing that he is unafraid to take tough decisions.
“No issue exists with him, and no concern about his personality,” the German said. “Bellingham possesses a competitive streak. You need that kind of fire to succeed at the top that he reached. Everyone must support him and create a setting which he can [have] that intensity towards opponents and for the objectives we are working towards as a team.”
Bellingham took up much of the focus at Tuchel’s squad announcement for the upcoming dead-rubber qualifiers against Serbia and the other. Any other news? Indeed, how about Phil Foden? This is another prodigious No 10 in need of love and guidance. He has not played for the national team since March and has found it hard to perform well recently but Tuchel had to consider the 25-year-old after how he played in Manchester City’s win versus the German side this week.
The question, however, is how to use the attacking talents at available. Rogers and Eze have earned their places and there will be a strong case to select 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 optimal mix at the European Championship. He compromised by squeezing Foden and Bellingham into the starting lineup, cramping Harry Kane’s influence in the process.
It seems unlikely Tuchel repeating that if it hurts the attacking balance. There is room for one No 10, with quick attackers on the wings. Clear roles helps. He is selected as a central attacker. The new call-up, called up for the first occasion, is a central midfielder and the recalled Wharton will vie with another player as a No 6. Additionally, there is no wide role for Foden, who must play through the middle. Tuchel prefers him close to Kane. “It does not make sense to tell Foden: ‘You are needed on the pitch but there’s no space in your preferred role, can you play left wing? Can you play right wing?” he said. “Phil will play in the No 9-10ish position, through the center. I have this fantasy regarding him for years. I think it suits him the most.”
He conceded there are times when Foden has appeared uncomfortable in an national jersey. “One senses as if, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has such natural delight for the game, then obviously something is not right, whether it's his role, the setup, I don’t know.
“I think he is also so used to representing Man City in a particular setup, to have a clear task. I think he profits greatly from clear instructions. What is my position? In which positions should I turn? Where am I supposed to accelerate the match? Where do I have to defend?
The manager talked about one star bursting through for tap-ins and Foden netting goals from outside the box. He said he has a extended list of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, others, the goalkeeper and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been omitted. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his excellent performances for City at left-back. Interest abounds.
The omission of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for the captain in this squad. Interestingly, he hinted at using Foden as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or the other. Anthony Gordon, the United forward, Bellingham and Jarrod Bowen are alternatives should he be absent. With qualification secured, this is a moment for testing tactics.
Meanwhile, it is additionally a moment to foster the understanding with his teammate going. It's surprising that you have to go back to the latter assisting Kane to score in an international match against Scotland in September 2023 to discover the one and only time in 35 games for England when the duo combined for a score. The coach will be aware that the two stars only passed to each other once during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the Euros. The connection is lacking.
“This is where eventually it becomes the duty of the players,” he said. He is not afraid to deliver home truths. Remains a feeling of the player having to prove himself. He may not be assured to start against the upcoming opponents. The manager wants Bellingham onside but he will be monitoring him carefully. Leave self-importance outside. It will make a powerful squad into an more effective one.
