🔥Bellingham criticized Tuchel: “He doesn’t know what it’s like to play against Haaland”
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Didier Deschamps continues to praise Kylian Mbappe. Lionel Scaloni praises Lionel Messi at every opportunity. Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham have a completely different kind of relationship. She also delights the tabloids. And this Saturday in Miami once again illustrated this relationship, as atypical as it is piquant. “Perhaps he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in these conditions against Erling Haaland. Odegaard, Nusa, Sorlo. Not an easy team“, responded the Real Madrid player after his coach criticized England’s performance against Norway despite reaching the semi-finals..
It made a noise. And the happiness of the press, obviously. But this did not surprise many residents of the Kingdom. “This has been happening for 12 months now, but Tuchel does not leave him on the bench.“, flashed Gary Neville, the former England and Manchester United defender, on Sky Sports. With the arrival of the German technician at the helm of the Three Lions at the start of 2025, there has indeed been some tension between them. Because Thomas Tuchel has decided to impose his vision of things, even if it means creating some friction, as always with him. However, in general, coaches like to pamper their star. Put him in the best possible conditions. But Thomas Tuchel is not the kind of coach that others.
True to his principles and in full rein at the helm of England, the former PSG and Chelsea boss wants to build a real team that will finally allow the Three Lions to bring home the cup for the first time since 1966, when the gang of Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst won the World Cup ahead of West Germany. Who cares about names? And who cares if we have to do without someone or offend Jude Bellingham.
The former Dortmund wonderkid is certainly a special player. No one will say otherwise. He’s full of talent. And he can turn the fate of a match around with a cool gesture; he demonstrated this once again in the match with the Norwegians with a saving double (2-1). But his strong personality and lack of influence on the country at certain points may have irritated many, while he can be an enigma on a tactical level. Very quickly, Tuchel did not hesitate to publicly criticize the behavior of his midfielder, whom he considered a bit self-centered.
In June 2025, after England’s defeat to Senegal (1:3) in a friendly match, the former coach of the Parisians noted the behavior of the Madrilenian, mentioning… his mother. “There’s something special about it, it gives it an edge.. This is necessary if we want to accomplish great things. But this sharpness should be directed at our opponents, not at our teammates or an aggressive attitude towards the referees.– Tuchel let slip in an interview with talkSPORT. I can see how this might be controversial. I see this with my mother, who sometimes doesn’t see the nice, well-educated guy I see in it. And his smile: if he smiles, he convinces everyone. But sometimes you can see the rage and fire in his face, which can be off-putting to my mother on TV.”
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Behavior is important, as is respect for teammates.
Thomas Tuchel then cited a language error to apologize for the outing. But in October 2025, the German, who had also ruled out Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, took it upon himself not to include the Merengue midfielder in his selection list while the player was recovering from shoulder surgery. “I just watched a documentary about the New England Patriots and they said, “We don’t build the best players, we build the team.” I completely agree. That’s exactly what we’re trying to do“- the German began to justify his choice.
And if he recalled him for the November matches, then in this draw Tuchel again singled out his player, who showed himself annoyed by leaving the game during the victory in Albania (0-2). “I don’t want to make a big deal about it, but (…) behavior is important, as is respect for teammates who come into the game. It’s mutual obligation and respect.“, the technician slipped.
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He will have to fight for his place…
Thomas Tuchel has since taken it upon himself to calm the Bellingham case. Stingy with compliments. And it leaves doubts for a long time about the starting status of the Madrilenians at this 2026 World Cup.He will have to fight for his place. He knows he’s one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. Roles can always change” he said again as the World Cup approached, regularly recalling the performances of Morgan Rogers, whom he particularly admires.
In the absence of the Merengue midfielder in the four matches won in September and October 2025, Tuchel was truly won over by the Aston Villa man’s performance as a playmaker/second striker. The German has since used this to keep Jude Bellingham under pressure. And remind him that nothing is taken for granted.
Even if ‘Jude’ is the undisputed starter at this World Cup, where he has shone with six goals and an assist, Tuchel is not dwelling on his monstrous performances. Just to keep him focused. And to preserve his involvement in this team dear to him, with his special style. “Tuchel is here to make history, not make friends“, warned sports journalist Henry Winter at the end of 2025.”And he has a habit of quarreling with people. But also to win“. Which is what many fans of the Three Lions really like. Provided that the two of them, of course, manage to coexist in this 2026 adventure and use this tense relationship to reach the end.