Tuchel Wants Bellingham's Aggression So Long As England's Ace Sets Aside His Ego at the Door.
A single omission did the trick. Another and it would have started to look vindictive from the England manager, who is much too clever not to realize that claiming the World Cup trophy is probably going to require the involvement of the talented midfielder, even if it is also Bellingham's responsibility to blend into the tactical structures and squad hierarchies required with England now that he is back in Tuchel's welcoming fold.
The manager seeks his aggressive mentality, his intensity, but it is a matter of harnessing it appropriately. Personal talent counts but England know from bitter experience that there is a cost when celebrity prevails. Still, a message has been sent.
The midfielder was given food for thought after his omission of the recent team selection. He observed England qualify at next summer’s World Cup in his absence. He watched the young talent perform brilliantly as a counterpressing attacking midfielder. He listened as Tuchel discuss loving the team's dynamism and principles. Inevitably, Bellingham has reacted in winning fashion, scoring crucial goals for Real Madrid versus their rivals and Juventus. Inclusion was a must; leaving him out again would have put his tournament chances in serious doubt.
The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham concentrating on frightening rivals rather than his own colleagues. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is no advantage to picking a fight with an elite performer in the world. The ideal scenario is that his period on the sidelines has shown him that an international career is a precious, precarious thing. Tuchel, for his part, can now offer support for the youngster after showing that he is not afraid to make big calls.
“No issue exists regarding him, and no concern about his personality,” the German stated. “Jude possesses the edge. You need a sharp mentality to succeed at the top that he has. We all must support him and create an environment which he can use that intensity against rivals and towards the goals we are striving for as a team.”
Bellingham took up the spotlight at the manager's selection reveal for this month’s final group games against one opponent and the other. Who else? Well, what about another talent? This is a further gifted playmaker who needs love and guidance. Foden has not played for the national team since March and has found it hard to hit the heights recently but Tuchel was impressed by the 25-year-old after his display in the Champions League match against the German side recently.
The issue, though, is the best way to deploy the various creators at England’s disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze have earned their places and there will be compelling reasons to include another youngster once he is fit after a persistent groin problem. Is selecting five No 10s to the World Cup be an overkill? Gareth Southgate failed to discover the optimal mix at the European Championship. He compromised by squeezing both stars into the starting lineup, restricting Harry Kane’s style as a result.
It is hard to see the current manager doing similar if it disrupts the attacking balance. Space exists for a single playmaker, with fast wide players on the flanks. Clarity helps. Bellingham is selected as a central attacker. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, called up for the first time, is a No 8 and the returning Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no wide role for Foden, who must play central. Tuchel prefers him near the striker. “It is illogical to tell Phil: ‘We want you in the team but no spot exists on your best position, can you play left wing? Can you play other flank?’” he said. “He will play in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I've long had this fantasy regarding him for years. In my view it fits his style best.”
Tuchel conceded there are times when Foden has seemed out of sorts in an national jersey. “You feel almost like, ‘Does he like it?’ And a player like him who has this childish joy for the game, then obviously something is not right, be it the position, the setup, it's unclear.
“In my opinion he is additionally so used to representing Man City in a certain structure, to have a defined role. Believe he benefits a lot from clarity. What is my position? In which positions am I to receive the ball? Where am I supposed to accelerate the match? Where do I have to defend?
Tuchel talked about Bellingham making runs for easy finishes and Foden drilling in strikes from 18 yards. He added he has a extended list of many candidates. Several players, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been omitted. A new face is rewarded for his fine form for Manchester City at left-back. Interest is high.
The omission of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for the captain in the selection. Fascinatingly, Tuchel suggested using the playmaker as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or Albania. Anthony Gordon, the United forward, Bellingham and the winger are other options should Kane be absent. Since the place is booked, this is a moment for a little experimentation.
Meanwhile, it is additionally a moment to get the understanding with Bellingham flowing. It is remarkable that you have to go back to Bellingham assisting Kane to score in an international match versus Scotland in over a year ago to discover the one and only time in 35 games for the national team when the pair combined for a score. Tuchel will be aware that the two stars only exchanged the ball a single time during England’s draws with Denmark and Slovenia at the European Championship. The connection is missing.
“This is where eventually it becomes the responsibility of the players,” he said. He is not afraid to be blunt. There is still a sense of Bellingham under scrutiny. He cannot even be guaranteed to start versus Serbia and Albania. Tuchel wants Bellingham onside but he will be watching him carefully. Leave the ego at the door. Doing so could turn a very strong squad into an even better one.
