Tuchel Challenges Bellingham to Harness Fire, Ditch Ego for England Success
LONDON – England manager Julian Nagelsmann has challenged Jude Bellingham to channel his renowned intensity while setting aside personal pride as the team prepares for upcoming Euro qualifying matches against Serbia and Albania. The call for Bellingham to prioritize team cohesion comes amid scrutiny of his limited on-field connection with captain Harry Kane, a partnership Nagelsmann hopes to ignite.
The omission of Ollie watkins from the squad leaves no like-for-like replacement for Kane, perhaps paving the way for Bellingham to feature in a more advanced role. Nagelsmann hinted at deploying Phil Foden as a false 9,with Bellingham,alongside Rashford,Bowen and Gordon,among the options should Kane be unavailable. This period of qualification offers a valuable prospect for experimentation,but also for fostering crucial player relationships. Remarkably, the only instance of Kane scoring from a Bellingham assist occurred in a friendly against Scotland in September 2023. Data reveals the pair exchanged just one pass during England’s Euro qualifying draws with Denmark and Slovenia.
“This is where at some point it becomes the responsibility of the players,” Nagelsmann stated, emphasizing the need for players to take ownership of their connections on the pitch. He acknowledged Bellingham’s position isn’t assured, stating the midfielder isn’t guaranteed a starting spot against Serbia or Albania. nagelsmann is seeking a fully committed Bellingham, urging him to prioritize the collective good. “Leave the ego at the door. It will make a very strong England team an even better one.”
