Jude Bellingham is no doubt one of England's most talented players. However, Thomas Tuchel has limited the Real Madrid star's game time with the Three Lions.
Bellingham assisted Myles Lewis-Skelly in Tuchel's first England game, a 2-0 win over Albania in March. This has been the midfielder's only goal involvement under the Tuchel era so far. The Real Madrid player missed a couple of England fixtures due to a shoulder injury. He was then left out of Tuchel's roster for the October international break.
Bellingham was recalled for the Three Lions' final World Cup qualifiers. However, he made a substitute appearance in their win over Serbia before reacting angrily when being taken off in their victory over Albania.
Tuchel has been keen to play down any problem with Bellingham, but did clumsily reveal to talkSPORT back in June that his mother finds the player's behavior on the pitch "repulsive."
The England manager was recently quoted by Fabrizio Romano, saying, "I saw that Jude Bellingham was not happy when he came off. I don't want to make more out of it, but I stick to my words, behavior is key and respect towards the team-mates who come in... Decisions are made and you have to accept it as a player."
Thomas Tuchel's treatment of Jude Bellingham is a huge gamble
Tuchel has one goal with England, and that is to win the World Cup next summer. The Three Lions have been perennial underachievers on the international stage and have not lifted a major trophy since 1966.
England came close under Tuchel's predecessor, Gareth Southgate, making it to the final of the European Championship twice. However, the Three Lions shirt weighs heavily, and the former player was not able to get England over the final hurdle.
Tuchel is only contracted to England until after the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, he does not have to worry about the squad harmony in the long term. He has laid down a marker that there will be no one bigger than the team by reducing Bellingham's game time.
His treatment of Bellingham is a lesson to the whole squad that your place is not guaranteed, no matter who you are. However, the Real Madrid star is still arguably England's best player. They needed him at the last Euros when he scored a spectacular bicycle kick to avoid an embarrassing defeat to Slovakia.
Tuchel will need Bellingham next summer, and he cannot continue to have the player frustrated if he is to get the best out of him during the tournament.