‘Tuchel ends days of starstruck coaches automatically picking big names’

The head coach sees a bigger picture beyond the Real Madrid superstar in his decision to ignore Jude Bellingham’s desire to be included in his most recent England squad as evidence that Thomas Tuchel sees a wider picture.

The 22-year-old, who famously uttered “who else”? When England defeated Slovakia in the final 16 of the Euro 2024 with a spectacular stoppage-time overhead kick, Tuchel now knows that other options are available to him.

It is absurd to say that Bellingham’s exclusion is proof Tuchel views him as unsportable, but it also demonstrates that the German will not be as enamored of any players or bow down to the dictates of his biggest names as his predecessors, most notably Sven-Goran Eriksson, did.

Under Tuchel, the days of star-studded managers and coaches automatically recalling the biggest names are over. Nothing can be done about reputation. They do .

Bellingham started just one game for Real Madrid, losing to Atletico Madrid, with a 5-2 setback, and his decision was based on sound common sense.

Bellingham has also started three times off the bench, but Tuchel’s desire to play for Wales in a Wembley friendly before visiting Latvia for a World Cup qualifier was ignored.

Tuchel’s relationship with Bellingham has already made headlines, especially when he admitted that his mother may have criticized the player’s on-field behavior as “repulsive” following the team’s 3-1 loss to Senegal at the City Ground in June.

He later admitted his regrets in a statement, insisting that he had used the word “unintentionally” and that he has not been slow to praise the midfielder.

Despite having a status in recent years that has made him the star of England’s team, Tuchel has been slow to make a return to Bellingham.

Bellingham “wanted to be called up,” according to the German, and “there can always be special rules for special players.”

Tuchel is however determined that Bellingham’s future will not be determined by his country’s availability, especially considering the World Cup in the future.

It’s impossible to imagine England playing in the World Cup without a fit Bellingham, but Tuchel has a point by making it clear that not every plan he makes will depend on him being a member of the team.

Importantly, Tuchel is now selecting players from a strong position in light of their outstanding 5-0 victory over Serbia in England’s final World Cup qualifying match.

No-one, no matter who they are, will simply walk back into his squad, regardless of their standing, after others impressed so much in Belgrade, as he has shown he will reward loyalty.

Tuchel reaffirmed that “any player’s performance is without any guarantees,” and his decision to play in Bellingham confirms that statement.

In this context, he made the remarks that Bellingham wanted to be in the squad but was later excluded.

Although Bellingham may be disappointed by his conversation with Tuchel, the head coach still needs to pay attention to other issues and players.

Tuchel was incredibly impressed by England’s squad, which he described as the best since he was appointed, and that was in addition to his best performance since taking over when Serbia were destroyed in Belgrade.

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea),

Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) are the midfielders.

Elliot Anderson made an impressive performance against Serbia and in the earlier victory at Villa Park over Andorra, while Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa excelled in the number 10 slot, which Bellingham could have filled with his fitness in Belgrade.

Interesting is that Arsenal’s teammate Noni Madueke was injured, but Bukayo Saka has only recently recovered from a hamstring problem.

Another important component of Tuchel’s squad was his choice not to add Everton forward Jack Grealish and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who is back to his best after a subpar season last term, and to make him the star player.

Grealish has had the most chances to create 17 chances in the Premier League this season, resulting in four assists, while Foden has had 18 chances and scored five goals overall this year.

Despite a clamor for their inclusion, the pair have no immediate access to a new path, similar to Bellingham, which again demonstrates that Tuchel was deeply satisfied with what he witnessed at the previous international camp.

He emphasized that the only requirement for qualification for England to win the World Cup would be five points, creating competition, and developing his squad as well as results, in all camps leading up to the tournament.