Jude Bellingham: Thomas Tuchel’s relationship with Real Madrid superstar could define England reign as questions remain | Football news

How Thomas Tuchel handles the relationship with Jude Bellingham could define his tenure as England head coach, and, ultimately, it could have a huge bearing on how far England go at next summer’s World Cup.

This shows how important the dynamic is between the national team coach and the country’s biggest star.

And although Tuchel has directly stated that there are no problems between him and Bellingham, there is still some mystery surrounding the player’s role with England, how he fits in with his teammates off the field and how the atmosphere within the team is entirely different when he is not there.

Bellingham has rigorous standards. He’s a perfectionist. And he demands the best from everything around him.

This was evident during the Euro final in Berlin, when he berated Gareth Southgate on the touchline, mid-match, for not making the tactical changes he – as a 21-year-old – felt were necessary.

Anthony Gordon has spoken openly about how the England camp is a different place, with and without Bellingham.

“You really notice him when he’s not there because he’s so present, such a great player,” the Newcastle winger said.

“But he was injured, he had a tough few months and it probably did him good to be honest because he played so much football for his age.”

Gordon is absolutely right. Bellingham has already made 282 club appearances and won 44 international caps, which is extraordinary for a 22-year-old.

Gordon also makes a pertinent point when he references the fact that Bellingham missed September camp due to shoulder surgery and is still working his way back to full fitness for the game. Tuchel was right when he said the No.10 had yet to play a full 90 minutes for Real Madrid since his operation.

But, conversely, he is fit enough to play five Madrid matches in a fortnight, and some argue he needs game time at the moment, for club and country, in order to get back to full fitness, having played football for nine weeks in the aftermath of the Club World Cup.

Crucially, fitness was not the reason Tuchel gave for leaving Bellingham out, and the player himself made it clear to the boss that he wanted to join.

The English boss’s honesty and his brilliant speech to the media must be applauded. It would have been easy for Tuchel to say that Bellingham wasn’t fully fit, and so everyone thought it was better for him to stay away.

Instead, he told us he decided to leave Bellingham at home. It looked like a snub, but Tuchel insisted it was fitting that, after Serbia’s truly impressive 5-0 defeat in Belgrade last month, the same team had earned the right to try again. And this is where there is an apparent contradiction.

Tuchel has repeatedly lamented the lack of time he has with his players to prepare for next summer’s North American extravaganza.

As Tuchel took office on New Year’s Day, he stressed that he only had six international camps to get to know his players, work closely with them on and off the pitch, spend time with them, build a philosophy and turn them into World Cup contenders.

This seems at odds with his decision this time to leave out some of the bigger names, who he will surely count on next June.

In addition to Bellingham, you can certainly include Phil Foden in this assessment, probably Jack Grealish and maybe Adam Wharton.

Also keep in mind that Tuchel felt John Stones’ presence was so vital and missed so much in and around the England squad that he invited the Manchester City defender to accompany the group to the summer training camp near Barcelona, ​​even though he was injured and couldn’t join the group on the grass.

Tuchel wanted him everywhere, creating a link. No such invitation has been extended to Bellingham this time around, as he trains in full force.

Tuchel is still adjusting to life as an international manager and he spoke at length about how difficult it was not having the daily contact with his players that he always enjoyed at club level.

Why then, when you have so little time, would you so pointedly abandon a generational talent like Bellingham and not include him in your plans?

Bellingham has only played four matches under Tuchel so far. Now that he misses this camp, there are at most four more England games before the head coach has to select his World Cup squad.

We are not aware of the telephone conversation between Tuchel and Bellingham last week. All we know is what the England manager told us: that the Real Madrid superstar made it clear he was fit and wanted to join his country, only for the German manager to tell him he wouldn’t be selected this time.

Tuchel was sticking to his guns and the promise he made to the team at the end of the Serbia game in September, when, after the team’s best performance since taking charge, he said he would bring them all back in October.

The costs of that promise in terms of the relationship with Bellingham may not be fully understood until the World Cup.

This international break was the first opportunity for the two men to sit down and clear the air, discussing what happened four months ago, when Tuchel said his mother was sometimes “repulsed” by Bellingham’s behavior on the pitch.

Tuchel has since apologized for those comments – both publicly and to Bellingham privately – and has made it clear that he meant absolutely no offense and that he chose his words in error.

He bristled when I raised the subject again at the last press conference in England. But the fact is that the two men have not been together in person since that push, and although a call-up was not possible during last month’s international break due to Bellingham being injured, Tuchel pointedly turned down the opportunity to meet face-to-face now.

The England manager often says he doesn’t need to see many of England’s ‘special’ players in person at camp because he is fully aware of what players like Grealish, Foden and Harry Maguire can do.

He does not, however, apply the same philosophy to the England captain, who is always included for his country even when, as now, he is struggling with a knock.

Harry Kane had to sit out some of the more energetic recovery sessions at St George’s Park on Monday as he heals his body ahead of Thursday’s friendly against Wales.

So why does Tuchel consider it vital for Kane to be part of the group, with his exceptional leadership skills and standards, but not Bellingham? Most England fans would agree that both players are equally vital to England’s chances at the next World Cup.

When he is in England, Bellingham’s closest companions are Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Trent is currently injured and there is no guarantee he will fly to next summer’s World Cup with so much competition at right-back.

As for Henderson, it is a key part of his role in England that he sets standards on and off the field, managing and cajoling young players – Bellingham included.

This support network around Bellingham is key to getting the most out of him. Tuchel is perfectly aware of this when he selects his team.

It is important to reiterate that the England head coach insists he has a good relationship with Bellingham. I asked him this question directly at Wembley, and with a steely look in my direction, he gave an unequivocal and precise answer.

The last thing Thomas Tuchel wants is for outsiders to stir up tensions and cast doubt on his relationship with a player so vital to his and England’s fortunes.

But after Tuchel’s bizarre comments this summer and his equally surprising decision to leave Bellingham out of this England team, those doubts will remain.