OPINION: There remains question marks about Jude Bellingham’s attitude in and around the England camp but Thomas Tuchel has given him the chance to show he’s changed
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his point has been made – and perhaps now we will get to see if Jude Bellingham has grasped it.
Bellingham is back in the England squad for the upcoming games against Serbia and Albania. And the onus is on the Real Madrid superstar to prove that an absence from the international scene can make his heart grow fonder.
Bellingham might not think he has a point to prove, given what he’s achieved on the biggest stage up to now. But this is the point in the first place. There remains question marks about Bellingham’s attitude in and around the England camp.
Tuchel wants the midfielder to shed that sense of arrogance and entitlement. The approach which make some of his colleagues feel belittled and intimidated.
Because Tuchel believes no-one should ever consider themselves bigger than the team itself.
Dropping Bellingham from the last get together was a big call. But Tuchel continues to prove he is not afraid to make them.
The German has shown this with his decision to continue to ignore the likes of Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold. While handing a surprise call-up to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
From nowhere, Scott now has a chance to stake his claim for a seat on the plane to the World Cup next summer. While Grealish and Alexander-Arnold might as well start looking at booking a holiday for when the season ends.
Tuchel must have a problem with Grealish. Because he sees what we all do, which is Grealish putting in impressive performances for Everton.
Just like Phil Foden has done for Manchester City, to earn a deserved recall. But Grealish remains marginalised, irrespective of what he does in the Premier League.
Tuchel can get away with it to a certain extent, given the staggering amount of talent he has in the wide, attacking areas of the team.
But should those he prefers in this position fail to help England make a genuine first of winning the World Cup, then he will have some inevitable questions to answer.
Not that Tuchel will care. Because if England flop at the finals, he won’t be hanging around to face the inquest.