One snub proved sufficient. A second one and it would have started to look spiteful from Thomas Tuchel, a coach who is extremely shrewd not to understand that winning the World Cup is probably going to require the involvement of the talented midfielder, even if it is also Bellingham's responsibility to fit into the game plans and team pecking order required with the national team now that he is back in Tuchel's supportive environment.
The manager wants Bellingham's edge, his fire, but it is a matter of using it appropriately. Skill is important but the squad know from bitter experience that there is a cost when stardom takes over. Still, a point has been made.
Bellingham was given food for thought after his omission of last month’s squad. He watched England qualify at the tournament without him. He saw Morgan Rogers perform brilliantly as a counterpressing No 10. He listened as Tuchel talk about valuing the group’s energy and principles. Naturally, he has responded in champion style, netting important strikes for Real Madrid against Barcelona and the Italian side. His selection was inevitable; another omission would have put his tournament chances hanging by a thread.
The hope is that the manager will have a Bellingham concentrating on intimidating opponents rather than his own colleagues. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is no advantage to creating tension with one of the best players in the world. The best outcome is that his period out of the team has shown him that an international career is a precious, precarious thing. The coach, on his side, can now provide cover for the youngster after demonstrating that he is unafraid to take tough decisions.
“No issue exists regarding him, and no concern about his personality,” Tuchel commented. “Jude possesses that aggression. It takes that kind of fire to achieve greatness that he has. Everyone need to support him and build a setting which he can [have] his drive in matches and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”
The star took up most of the attention at Tuchel’s squad announcement for this month’s meaningless matches against one opponent and the other. Any other news? Indeed, what about Phil Foden? This is a further gifted playmaker requiring support and direction. He has been absent for England since March and has struggled to reach his best recently but the boss was impressed by the 25-year-old after his performance in his club's victory against Borussia Dortmund this week.
The question, though, is how to use the various creators at available. Rogers and Eze have earned their places and there will be compelling reasons to include another youngster once he recovers from a persistent groin problem. Would taking multiple creators to the World Cup be too many? The previous manager failed to discover the right blend at Euro 2024. He made concessions by forcing both stars into the same XI, restricting the captain's style as a result.
It is hard to see the current manager repeating that if it hurts the attacking balance. There is room for one No 10, with quick attackers on the wings. Clear roles is beneficial. He is in as a No 10. The new call-up, called up for the first occasion, is a No 8 and the recalled Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a No 6. There will also be no wide role for Foden, who must play through the middle. The coach wants him near the striker. “It does not make sense to ask Phil: ‘You are needed on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, can you play left wing? Can you play right wing?” he stated. “Phil will play in the advanced midfield role, through the center. I have this fantasy regarding him for years. In my view it fits his style best.”
Tuchel agreed there are times when Foden has seemed out of sorts in an England shirt. “You feel as if, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And a player like him who has this childish joy to play football, then clearly an issue exists, be it his role, the environment, I don’t know.
“I think he is additionally accustomed to representing his club in a certain structure, with a defined role. I think he benefits greatly from clear instructions. Where do you want me to be? In which positions should I turn? When should I to push the tempo? What are my to defensive duties?”
Tuchel talked about Bellingham bursting through for easy finishes and Foden scoring goals from 18 yards. He added he has a longlist of 60 players. Several players, others, James Trafford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been omitted. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his fine form for City at defense. Intrigue is high.
Leaving out of Ollie Watkins means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in this squad. Interestingly, he hinted at deploying Foden as a false 9 against Serbia or Albania. Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Bellingham and Jarrod Bowen are other options if he be absent. Since the place is booked, this is a moment for testing tactics.
At the same time, it is additionally a chance to get Kane’s relationship with Bellingham flowing. It's surprising that you have to go back to the latter setting up the captain to net in an international match against the Scots in over a year ago to discover the one and only time in many appearances for England when the pair combined for a goal. The coach will know that Kane and Bellingham only exchanged the ball once during England’s draws with one opponent and another at the European Championship. The connection is missing.
“This is where eventually it becomes the responsibility of the individuals,” Tuchel said. He is not afraid to speak frankly. Remains a sense of the player being on trial. He may not be guaranteed to start against Serbia and Albania. The manager wants Bellingham onside but he will be monitoring him closely. Set aside the ego at the door. Doing so could turn a very strong England team into an superior one.
