Thomas Tuchel wants Jude Bellingham to harness his combative streak after the midfielder delivered a standout display in England’s thrilling 3-2 Nations League loss to Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
The England manager believes confrontation on the pitch brings out the 23-year-old’s finest qualities, actively encouraging the Real Madrid star’s aggressive approach.
“He likes that. He gets better if that happens,” Tuchel said.
“It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going.”
Thomas Tuchel has urged Jude Bellingham to play angry
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Notably, Tuchel had previously been critical of Bellingham’s volatile on-pitch personality, but now appears fully behind the midfielder channelling that intensity.
Bellingham’s heated exchange with Marc Cucurella proved a catalyst during the match. The Spain left-back, who is also Bellingham’s colleague at Real Madrid, provoked the England midfielder after winning a challenge against him.
Rather than letting the confrontation knock him off his stride, Bellingham used it as fuel — responding by creating Anthony Gordon’s goal shortly afterwards.
Asked about the spat with Cucurella, Tuchel said: “I think he doesn’t know any team-mates when he is in the national team. He wants to win. He doesn’t know any team-mates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes.”
Jude Bellingham used a coming-together with Marc Cucurella to aid Anthony Gordon’s goal
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The England boss portrayed Bellingham’s energy-laden approach as something innate rather than a tactical choice. “It’s the only style he can play, that’s just his game,” Tuchel remarked, acknowledging that the midfielder’s relentless manner is simply part of his DNA.
Tuchel described Bellingham’s playing style as far from economical, but made clear he would not want it any other way. The 23-year-old drove England forward until the final whistle against Spain, forcing a late save from goalkeeper Unai Simón as the hosts pushed for an equaliser. His performance capped a week in which he was named England’s player of the year for a second consecutive season.
Tuchel is eager to field Bellingham from the start when England travel to face Czechia on Tuesday, but acknowledged concerns over the midfielder’s workload during a congested period at club level.
“I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn’t done it this season in this tight period,” Tuchel said.
The manager stressed that medical staff would have the final say on whether Bellingham features. “We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude in any risk. But in terms of style, it’s just how he plays,” he added.
