Jude Bellingham’s absence from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad has raised eyebrows, but the decision highlights the manager’s determination to prioritize form, fitness, and team spirit over reputation.
Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad announcement has made headlines for a single, glaring omission: Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid star, widely regarded as the centerpiece of England’s midfield in recent years, has been left out despite expressing a strong desire to return. For Tuchel, though, reputations count for little. Performances and fitness dictate selection.
The 22-year-old has only just returned from shoulder surgery, starting once and making three substitute appearances for Madrid this season. That limited involvement was not enough to convince Tuchel, who instead chose to reward players that impressed in England’s emphatic 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia in Belgrade.
Tuchel made it clear his decision should not be misread as a dismissal of Bellingham’s quality or importance. “Are we a better team with Jude? Yes,” he admitted. “But what do we do if Jude is injured before the World Cup? Do we just cancel?” It was a pointed reminder that England’s long-term plans cannot revolve around a single individual, no matter how special.
This stance is a significant shift from the days when big names could expect automatic recalls. Under Sven-Göran Eriksson and other past managers, established stars often walked straight back into the squad regardless of form or fitness. Tuchel, however, is building a different culture — one where hunger, balance, and collective spirit take precedence.
The German coach’s relationship with Bellingham has already drawn scrutiny, especially after his comments earlier this year describing the midfielder’s behavior in one match as something his mother found “repulsive.” Tuchel later apologized, clarifying his intent, and has since praised Bellingham’s talent. Yet even with that history, his latest squad announcement proves he is unafraid to stand firm, even when it comes to England’s brightest star.
Instead, Tuchel has placed trust in players like Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, who excelled in recent fixtures. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka returns after injury, while notable omissions alongside Bellingham include Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, both in strong form but not guaranteed their places under Tuchel’s merit-first system.
The England manager knows he has the luxury of choice. With the World Cup less than a year away, he is ensuring no player assumes their place is untouchable. His message to Bellingham, Foden, Grealish, and every other England international is simple: reputations won’t get you in. Performances will.
For Bellingham, the omission will sting. But Tuchel has made clear that England’s path to the World Cup will not be shaped by the availability of one man, no matter how indispensable he has seemed in the past. The message is firm, the precedent is set: under Tuchel, England will be built on competition, not complacency.
