Thomas Tuchel Wants Jude Bellingham's Fire Provided England's Ace Leaves His Ego at the Door.

A single omission proved sufficient. A second one and it might have appeared spiteful from Thomas Tuchel, a coach who is far too wily not to realize that winning the World Cup demands help from Jude Bellingham, although it is also Bellingham's responsibility to blend into the tactical structures and team pecking order required with England now that he is returned to the manager's warm embrace.

The manager seeks the player's competitive fire, his fire, but it is about using it constructively. Skill counts but the squad have learned the hard way that there is a price to pay when fame takes over. Still, a message has been sent.

The midfielder had much to ponder after his omission of last month’s squad. He watched England qualify at the tournament without him. He watched the young talent excel as a counterpressing attacking midfielder. He heard Tuchel talk about loving the team's dynamism and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has responded in winning fashion, netting important strikes for his club versus Barcelona and the Italian side. He had to be picked; leaving him out again would have put his tournament chances in serious doubt.

The expectation is that the manager will have a Bellingham directed towards frightening rivals rather than his own colleagues. Ultimately, from a tactical perspective, there is no value to starting a conflict with one of the best players in the world. The ideal scenario is that Bellingham’s time on the sidelines has made him realize that representing the national team is a precious, uncertain thing. Tuchel, on his side, can now throw a protective shield for the youngster after showing that he is not afraid to drop big names.

“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character,” the German commented. “Bellingham possesses that aggression. It takes a certain edge to succeed at the top that he reached. Everyone need to help him and create an environment which he can [have] that intensity towards opponents and towards the goals we are striving for as a team.”

The star dominated much of the focus at the team news conference for this month’s final group games versus one opponent and Albania. Any other news? Indeed, how about another talent? Here is another prodigious playmaker who needs support and direction. He has been absent for England since spring and has found it hard to reach his best this year but the boss had to consider the player after how he played in Manchester City’s win against Borussia Dortmund this week.

The question, however, is the best way to deploy the attacking talents at England’s disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze merit inclusion and there will be compelling reasons to select Cole Palmer once he overcomes a ongoing injury. Would taking multiple creators to the World Cup be an overkill? Gareth Southgate never found the right blend at the European Championship. He compromised by squeezing both stars into the team, cramping Harry Kane’s influence in the process.

It is hard to see the current manager doing similar if it harms the team harmony. Space exists for a single playmaker, with quick attackers on the wings. Clarity is beneficial. Bellingham is selected as a No 10. The new call-up, selected for the first time, is a No 8 and the returning Wharton will vie with Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. There will also be no position on the wing for the City star, who has to be through the middle. The coach wants him near Kane. “It does not make sense to ask Phil: ‘You are needed in the team but no spot exists in your preferred role, can you play the left side? Or the right wing?” he said. “Phil is to feature in the No 9-10ish position, through the center. I have this idea about him for a long time. I think it fits his style the most.”

Tuchel agreed there are occasions when the player has appeared uncomfortable in an national jersey. “You feel almost like, ‘Does he like it?’ And someone of his caliber who has this childish joy for the game, then clearly an issue exists, be it the position, the setup, I don’t know.

“I think he is additionally accustomed to playing for his club in a specific system, with a clear task. Believe he benefits greatly from clarity. What is my position? In which positions should I turn? Where am I supposed to push the tempo? What are my to defensive duties?”

The manager talked about one star making runs for easy finishes and Foden scoring goals from 18 yards. He said he has a extended list of many candidates. Several players, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and the midfielder have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his fine form for Manchester City at left-back. Intrigue abounds.

Leaving out of Ollie Watkins means there is no like-for-like alternative for Kane in this squad. Fascinatingly, Tuchel suggested using the playmaker as a false 9 against one opponent or the other. Other options, the United forward, Bellingham and the winger are other options if he be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is a moment for a little experimentation.

Meanwhile, it is also a chance to get the understanding with his teammate going. It's surprising that one must look back to Bellingham assisting the captain to net in an international match versus Scotland in over a year ago to discover the sole instance in 35 games for England when the pair combined for a goal. Tuchel will know that Kane and Bellingham only exchanged the ball a single time during the team's ties with one opponent and Slovenia at the Euros. The connection is missing.

“This is where at some point it becomes the duty of the individuals,” Tuchel said. He does not shy away to speak frankly. There is still a feeling of the player being on trial. He may not be assured to start versus Serbia and Albania. The manager desires him onside but he will be watching him closely. Set aside self-importance outside. Doing so could turn a powerful squad into an even better one.