Jude Bellingham made his return to the squad after being sidelined for quite some time due to an injury. Having been called up for the November training camp with the England national team, Bellingham started the match against Albania. The Three Lions secured a 2-0 victory on the road, bagging essential points in the World Cup qualifiers.
However, the 84th-minute substitution saw Bellingham leave the pitch with an unmistakable grimace, which did not go unnoticed by the media. When questioned about the incident, Thomas Tuchel, the head coach, was candid about his thoughts on the player’s behaviour, making it clear he expects better in the future.
“I noticed he wasn’t happy about being substituted. I don’t want to blow this out of proportion, but I stand by the principle that attitude matters. Respecting teammates coming onto the field is non-negotiable. We make decisions as a staff, and they must be respected,” Tuchel explained, summing up his stance on the Real Madrid star.
Tuchel has frequently spoken about the wealth of options he has in attacking positions, which could lead to surprising selection decisions in the future. While Bellingham’s place in the squad seems secure for now, he will need to fight for a starting spot given the fierce competition. The likes of Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Gibbs-White are all capable of playing in similar roles, ensuring no guarantees for anyone.