Thomas Tuchel insists he has \u201cno problem\u201d with Jude Bellingham. Why would he? But after leaving the Real Madrid star out of his England squad,\u00a0Tuchel raised further doubts over the midfielder\u2019s future ahead of the Three Lions\u2019 clash with Wales on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Tuchel cited Bellingham\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> lack of rhythm having only just returned from shoulder surgery when asked why he hadn\u2019t been included, but also claimed building \u201cteam spirit\u201d was a factor in taking \u201ca very straightforward decision to go with the same group of players\u201d from the last international break, which included the 5-0 win over Serbia, the zenith of Tuchel\u2019s reign.<\/p>\n And once again, in his pre-match press conference, the message of camaraderie was laid on with a trowel by Tuchel, who saw Steven Gerrard describing the Golden Generation as \u201cegotistical losers\u201d in conversation with Rio Ferdinand this week after they flopped at the 2006 World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I hear people talking about\u00a0their titles in international football or their missed chances I hear always the same song: \u2018We have been a team,\u2019 or: \u2018We haven\u2019t been a team,\u2019\u201d Tuchel said. \u201cI think the rivalry between clubs was huge in this moment and they obviously couldn\u2019t find a way to buy into a bigger purpose, a bigger goal. A big, big opportunity wasted.\u201d<\/p>\n Tuchel has Gareth Southgate to thank for expunging that inter-club rivalry, not that that should be an issue for Bellingham in any case, with him never having played in the Premier League.<\/p>\n But Tuchel is keenly aware, obsessed even, over the need for harmony among the players at a major tournament. And it\u2019s becoming increasingly difficult not to make the connection between his decision to snub Bellingham and his bid to \u201cmake a talented team\u201d like the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to accept your role and what being the best teammates is,\u201d he said. \u201cThe only way we can make things happen at the World Cup is if we arrive with a strong team. I watched a documentary with the New England Patriots and there was a quote \u2018don\u2019t collect the best players, we make a talented team.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE THREE LIONS COVERAGE ON F365<\/strong> The desire to get as many of the best players into the team as possible was a criticism aimed at Southgate, who played Phil Foden on the left at Euro 2024 over a more natural winger. And if Tuchel is to avoid the same mistake, there will be some absurdly talented No.10s on the bench and more watching from home.<\/p>\n
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