Bellingham’s Role in England’s World Cup Plans and Tuchel’s Remarks

In June, Thomas Tuchel remarked that his mother found some of Jude Bellingham’s on-field behavior to be “repulsive,” though he later referred to the Real Madrid star as a “special boy.” Following these comments, the German coach issued an apology, clarifying that his choice of words was “unintentional.” Speculation surrounding a potential rift resurfaced in October when Bellingham was excluded from the Three Lions squad, despite being fit after shoulder surgery. However, he returned to the squad for England’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Serbia, where he made an appearance in the second half.

Recent reports suggest that Bellingham is expected to be included in Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup as the tournament approaches, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the Daily Mail, five England players participated in a discreet photoshoot this week, which included captain Harry Kane, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the revitalized Marcus Rashford, emerging talent Elliot Anderson, and, of course, Bellingham. Barring any injuries, this group is considered “almost certain” to secure a place in Tuchel’s England squad for next summer.

Additionally, leaked images of the new Nike kit emerged online last week, showcasing the slogan “Happy and Glorious” inside the collar, along with a single gold star above the Three Lions crest in honor of England’s 1966 World Cup victory. The sportswear company will utilize Aero Fit technology, designed to help players cope with the high temperatures expected in North America.

Currently, Jude Bellingham faces competition from Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers for a starting position in the England lineup. Rogers, who has recently impressed in the Three Lions jersey, has started four consecutive matches. Despite this competition, Tuchel emphasized that there is no animosity between the two players. “It’s normal to compete, but Morgan is one of Jude’s best friends, so I don’t think he feels any pressure. They respect each other,” Tuchel stated. He added that Morgan deserved his place on the pitch due to his outstanding performances and that Bellingham would benefit from observing the team’s pressing strategy before being brought in from the bench.

Following their victory against Serbia, England has achieved seven wins out of seven in their World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring a remarkable 20 goals while conceding none. Looking ahead, they will conclude their campaign against Albania, who are currently positioned second in the group and have already secured a place in next year’s World Cup play-offs. Tuchel’s tenure as England manager began with a victory over Albania in March, and he will be aiming for another strong performance this weekend.