Thomas Tuchel’s decision to omit Jude Bellingham from his latest England squad has been labelled ‘career-threatening’.
The Three Lions head coach announced his squad for the upcoming games against Wales and Latvia on Friday with the fit-again Real Madrid ace among the names left out.
Bellingham made his return to action after shoulder surgery in the Champions League victory over Marseille last month.
The 22-year-old also featured in last weekend’s high-octane 5-2 defeat at neighbour Atletico Madrid, proving that he is close full fitness.
Reacting immediately after the squad announcement, ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney and chief football commentator Sam Matterface were left shocked.
Deeney said: “That would be some call to not put Bellingham in the squad but go with Ruben Loftus-Cheek [on form]. That’s career threatening.”
Matterface added: “You’d assume it’s to do with the injury because any other suggestion would be volcanic.”
Moments later, Tuchel held a press conference and admitted Bellingham wanted to be in the squad.
The England boss explained his decision was mostly down to footballing reasons, although he did mention the midfielder’s lack of ‘rhythm’.
Tuchel said: “I understand your focus on Jude [Bellingham]; he is a very special player, and for special players, there are special rules. But for this camp we decided to stick with out decision to invite the same team, that also applies to Jude. He always deserves to be in camp.
“There is also the situation that he hasn’t gathered his full rhythm for Real Madrid. He hasn’t finished one full match until now; he has only started one now. he is getting back to full strength. We had a phone call. There is no issue from that side, he just lacks rhythm.”
Tuchel added: “There is no problem [between me and Bellingham]. There is also no problem between me and Jack Grealish and me and Phil Foden.”
Tuchel has laid down a marker ahead of future international breaksGettyIs Tuchel sending a message?
Tuchel was forced to bat away suggestions of a rift with Bellingham.
The decision to leave him out comes after the England boss had to apologise for calling his behaviour ‘repulsive’ in a talkSPORT interview.
However, Deeney believes Tuchel is ‘laying down a marker’ for his superstars ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were also left out despite an injury to Cole Palmer.
“Maybe this is just a little reminder to Jude and others that you fall in line or you won’t come along,” the Watford legend said.
“Do I think it’s the right decision? No. But I’m not getting paid the money he is to make those calls.
Despite some questions over his fitness, Tuchel admitted Bellingham was available and left out for football reasonsGetty“Sometimes managers come in and look at big players and big personalities and think ‘right I’m going to take that down a notch or two to make sure I’m the boss’.
“He could’ve easily brought him in and not given him minutes, he could’ve brought Grealish, but he doesn’t like that, he wants to rule the roost.
“He’s only in there for a short time so do it your way. I don’t think it’s right personally, but it’s up to him.”
Deeney added: “There’s a valid reason. He’s not in rhythm. He’s not up to fitness levels, but what it does is it sends a marker to everybody else.
“Trevoh Chalobah has every right to be saying, why am I not in that squad?
“But he goes, actually he’s dropped Jude. So it lets everybody know I’m the boss and we’re doing it my way.
Bellingham was England’s player of the year in 2024 but there have been questions over his attitude, not least from Tuchel himselfGetty“And he also then caveated it with how it’s about performance. If you can perform properly now, you can get back into the team.
“So I think it’s a nice, easy win for him. and we’re making it about Jude, but there’s a lot of people that would miss it out.”
Is Bellingham’s World Cup place in jeopardy?
Meanwhile, chief football correspondent Alex Crook insists there is still no doubt that Bellingham starts for England at the 2026 World Cup if he is fit.
“I would still expect Bellingham to be part of the England squad and probably the England XI at the World Cup, but I do think this is a manager laying down his authority,” Crook said.
“I think one of the concerns he had when he came in was that maybe the team spirit at the Euros last summer wasn’t as strong as it had been previously under Gareth Southgate and we hear stories about Jude Bellingham and particularly his refusal to take part in media interviews, despite the fact he was part of the leadership squad.
“So this is, in my opinion, Tuchel just laying down the law to Bellingham. He wants him to toe the line.
“I think maybe he suspected he was getting too big for his boots. The key now is how does Bellingham react to this snub? Because obviously Tuchel admitted there that he wanted to be part of the squad. He isn’t.
“That would have dented his ego and hurt his pride.”
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