Bellingham Shines Amid Media Scrutiny as England Prepares for Future Challenges

After four consecutive appearances in the England starting line-up, former Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham had the opportunity to showcase his skills away in Albania. The 22-year-old made a significant impact during the World Cup qualifying victory, even though luck did not always favor him. Naturally, he expressed disappointment at being substituted in the 84th minute, yet he joined his teammates in celebrating Harry Kane’s goals. In response to a journalist’s claim that Bellingham was not fully “embracing the collective,” coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the comment and emphasized the necessity of team unity.

When questioned about Bellingham’s commitment to the England squad, Tuchel remarked, “That is a bad impression. It should be about the collective. What we did in camp is all about the collective. I will review it—while I was pleased with the goal, I had a quick discussion with Morgan Rogers and was confident that everyone celebrated together. I will certainly look into it. That is not the image we wish to convey. We believe that everyone is committed and accepts tough decisions, whether made before or during the match.”

Tuchel continued regarding the substitution, stating, “He [Bellingham] must accept it. We should not make more of it than it is. Rogers was unhappy about not starting today because he deserves to play and wants to be on the field at all times. We granted him a rest due to his extensive minutes at the club level and his previous performance against Serbia. I do not want to dwell on it further. I maintain that behavior is crucial. Decisions are made, and players must accept them.”

In the lead-up to these England matches, Carlo Ancelotti, the former Real Madrid manager and current head of the Brazil national team, came to Bellingham’s defense amidst concerns about his attitude. On the Rest is Football podcast, Ancelotti praised Bellingham, likening him to Brazilian legend Kaka. “I think Jude is a fantastic player. If I must compare, we are discussing Kaka. He possesses that type of intelligence, is physically strong, and arrives in the box at the right time,” Ancelotti stated. “He is performing exceptionally well, and perhaps he was dealing with a shoulder issue earlier, but that is behind him now. Why cast doubt on Bellingham?”

He added, “I have never had an issue with Jude regarding his attitude. He is incredibly professional, serious, and diligent in training, just like all English players. No complaints whatsoever.”

It remains to be seen whether certain media narratives are exaggerated or if Bellingham will face repercussions for his alleged behavior. England concluded their World Cup qualifying campaign with an unblemished record, and as they prepare for a break before returning next year, the details of their fixtures prior to the tournament in North America are yet to be confirmed. Observers are keen to see how Bellingham fits into Tuchel’s future plans.

Moreover, the former Chelsea manager remarked on the win against Albania, saying, “I can hardly believe that I will see all of them only in March; it is difficult for me to accept. I truly enjoy being on the sidelines and competing alongside them. This will be a lengthy break. They performed remarkably well—full credit to all our players. We are immensely proud. While there were numerous changes, which can sometimes disadvantage players due to the lack of familiarity with their teammates, everyone excelled. It was evident that we possessed a high-quality bench capable of influencing the game, so why not?”