Thomas Tuchel challenges Jude Bellingham to refine his game for greater impact

LONDON – England midfielder Jude Bellingham needs to be a bit more disciplined so that he can have the maximum impact when it counts most, said manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Tuchel oversaw his first match in charge of the Three Lions when they kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on March 21

with a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley.

It was the German’s first look at his players in action for England since being appointed in October and officially beginning his 18-month contract in January.

One of the things he has taken note of is the over-exuberance of his young but highly talented star, who has racked up impressive numbers and displays for both club and country.

The 21-year-old has bagged 11 goals for Real Madrid this season and has been directly involved in 11 goals (five goals, six assists) in his last 16 games for England. In total, he has six goals across 41 caps – the most ever won for the Three Lions while aged 21 or younger.

Bellingham, who set up debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly’s opener in the Group K victory over Albania, was also a key player in England’s run to the European Championship 2024 final in Germany, where they lost 2-1 to Spain.

Asked if Bellingham was trying to do too much at Euro 2024, Tuchel said: “Yes, he is always ready to give everything but we need to help him so that, within a structure, he can play more economically and still have the same impact, or maybe even more impact.

“We need to make sure that the leaders, and he is one of the leaders, and the main players, walk in the same direction and play in the same rhythm and help each other out. And play a little more disciplined, maybe, to save some energy for the decisive moments.”

Tuchel, who became England’s third foreign manager when he was chosen as Gareth Southgate’s successor, also observed that Bellingham always wanted to be involved.

“He loves to talk to the referee and the linesmen. He’s a very emotional player once he’s on the pitch and you just see that he hates to lose and does everything that it takes,” he added of the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund player.

Bellingham will have another chance to curate his performance to his manager’s expectations, with Latvia travelling to Wembley for their Group K clash on March 24.

It will be their first-ever meeting, with the odds backing the hosts, who have not lost their first meeting against any of the last 56 nations they’ve faced for the first time (W42, D14) since losing 2-1 to Mexico in May 1959.

Tuchel added that he has held constructive discussions with Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, after criticising their minimal impact on the wings against Albania.

Both Rashford and Foden were largely peripheral figures before being substituted in the second half against Albania, with Tuchel demanding more aggressive runs towards the box.

“We can see in the numbers and when we watch the match again how much effort they put into defending high and to the counter-press. Also in their sprinting numbers, Marcus had a lot of runs when we had the ball where we did not see him or use him,” said Tuchel, who is looking to become the first permanent England manager to win his first two competitive games in charge since Fabio Capello (won his first eight) in September 2008.

“Phil is just maybe not finding the momentum, at the moment, that he can have. But both of them are very positive, have every right to be positive and know exactly what we want from them. Ideally, we try to bring them in more one-on-one situations.”

Earlier, winger Anthony Gordon withdrew from the squad after picking up an injury in the win over Albania and has returned to his club Newcastle United for further assessment. He came on as a substitute in the latter stages of the game, but went down with what appeared to be a hip injury.

Tuchel gave no clues as to who would start against Latvia, but suggested some fresh players could come in. One player who could play a part is Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

“It’s very likely that he will be in the squad. Morgan is an amazing character, I have to say. I’m happy that he’s with us. He deserves a lot of praise,” he said.

“It’s also how we expect it to be because it should be an honour and it should be a privilege to play for England. The egos have to be put aside. That’s what everyone’s doing and Morgan does it in an impressive way.” REUTERS