Tuchel: ‘Bellingham omission was a message to the England players I selected’ | OneFootball

England manager Thomas Tuchel recently announced his call-ups for the November international fixtures, and the headline was the return of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The Three Lions take on Serbia in a World Cup qualifier on November 13 before locking horns with Albania three days later.

Tuchel had caused quite a stir by not calling Bellingham up for the October international games.

This decision was after Tuchel had said in June that his own mother found some of Bellingham’s on-field behaviour ‘repulsive’.

He had just returned from shoulder surgery, but many people still expected him to be part of the group. The 22-year-old took it in stride and is back in the squad.

Tuchel has now admitted that he was trying to send a message by not calling Bellingham up to the squad.

He said (via the Daily Mail), “It was more of a message to the guys who were in camp rather than a message for Jude, because there was no need for that.

“(It was) for the guys to keep their place, even if a guy like Jude, like Phil (Foden), like other big names are knocking on the door and claiming their right to be back.

“Now that they are coming back, Phil and Jude, the message is now – make sure you keep this thing going and make sure you accelerate the thing because we have something going here.

“We are building something, we are super-excited that you are back, but the message is – contribute to it.”

It will be fascinating to see where Bellingham fits into Tuchel’s new-look midfield, now that he is fit and firing.

England appeared to find a lovely balance in his absence, with Morgan Rogers’ inventiveness, Declan Rice’s energy and Elliot Anderson’s calm offering a fluid and cohesive mix in the middle.

Latvia and Wales did not give them stern tests, but they looked good together.

Tuchel now has the enviable task of reintegrating one of the world’s best midfielders without upsetting the chemistry. His return raises exciting tactical questions.