Thomas Tuchel Seeks Jude Bellingham's Aggression Provided The Three Lions' Star Leaves His Ego Outside.

A single omission did the trick. Another and it might have appeared vindictive from Thomas Tuchel, a coach who is much too clever not to know that winning the World Cup demands help from Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally on the midfielder to fit into the tactical structures and team pecking order necessary with England now that he is back in the manager's warm embrace.

The manager seeks the player's competitive fire, his fire, but it is a matter of harnessing it appropriately. Personal talent matters but the squad have learned the hard way that there is a cost when stardom takes over. Still, a point has been made.

The midfielder had much to ponder after not being selected of last month’s squad. He observed the national side book their place at the upcoming World Cup in his absence. He watched Morgan Rogers perform brilliantly as a high-pressing No 10. He heard the coach discuss valuing the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, he has reacted in champion style, scoring crucial goals for his club versus Barcelona and Juventus. He had to be picked; a second snub would have put his tournament chances in serious doubt.

The hope is that Tuchel will have a midfielder focused on pressuring the opposition rather than teammates. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is no value to starting a conflict with an elite performer in the world. The ideal scenario is that his period on the sidelines has demonstrated that playing for one's country is a valuable, precarious thing. The coach, for his part, can now offer support around the 22-year-old after showing that he is unafraid to make big calls.

“There is no problem regarding him, there is no problem about his personality,” Tuchel commented. “Bellingham just has the edge. It takes a sharp mentality to reach the heights that he has. We all need to support him and create a atmosphere which he can use this edge against rivals and in pursuit of success we are building as a team.”

The star dominated the spotlight at the team news conference for this month’s final group games against Serbia and Albania. Who else? Well, how about another talent? This is a further gifted playmaker in need of support and direction. Foden has been absent for England since spring and has struggled to reach his best recently but Tuchel was impressed by the player after his display in the Champions League match versus the German side this week.

The question, however, is how to use the various creators at England’s disposal. Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze merit inclusion and there will be a strong case to pick another youngster once he is fit after a fitness issue. Would taking multiple creators to the tournament be an overkill? Gareth Southgate failed to discover the right blend at the European Championship. He made concessions by squeezing both stars into the starting lineup, cramping Harry Kane’s style as a result.

It seems unlikely Tuchel making the same mistake if it harms the team harmony. Space exists for a single playmaker, with fast wide players on the wings. Clarity is beneficial. Bellingham is in as a No 10. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, called up for the first time, is a central midfielder and the recalled Adam Wharton will battle another player as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no position on the wing for the City star, who must play central. The coach prefers him close to the striker. “It is illogical to ask Phil: ‘We want you on the pitch but no spot exists in your preferred role, can you play the left side? Or the right wing?” he said. “He will play in the central attacking zone, through the center. I've long had this vision regarding him for years. I think it matches his abilities best.”

Tuchel conceded there are times when Foden has not looked himself in an England shirt. “You feel almost like, ‘Is he truly happy? And a player like him who has this childish joy for the game, then clearly an issue exists, whether it's his role, the environment, I don’t know.

“In my opinion he is additionally so used to representing Man City in a particular setup, to have a defined role. Believe he profits a lot from clarity. What is my position? Where exactly am I to receive the ball? When should I to push the tempo? What are my to defend?

The manager discussed Bellingham making runs for tap-ins and Foden drilling in goals from outside the box. He said he has a extended list of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and the midfielder have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his good displays for Manchester City at left-back. Intrigue abounds.

Leaving out of the striker means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in the selection. Fascinatingly, Tuchel hinted at deploying Foden as a false 9 versus one opponent or Albania. Other options, the United forward, Bellingham and Jarrod Bowen are other options should he be absent. With qualification secured, this is a moment for testing tactics.

Meanwhile, it is additionally a moment to develop Kane’s relationship with his teammate flowing. It is remarkable that you have to go back to the latter setting up Kane to score in a friendly win versus the Scots in over a year ago to find the sole instance in 35 games for the national team when the pair combined for a score. Tuchel will know that Kane and Bellingham only passed to each other a single time during England’s draws with one opponent and Slovenia at the Euros. Their partnership is lacking.

“At this point eventually it falls to the responsibility of the players,” he stated. He is not afraid to speak frankly. There is still a feeling of the player under scrutiny. He may not be guaranteed to start against Serbia and Albania. Tuchel desires Bellingham committed but he will be monitoring him carefully. Leave the ego at the door. It will make a very strong England team into an superior one.