Thomas Tuchel made a series of big decisions for his latest round of England call-ups, the most notable of which was leaving out Jude Bellingham despite the Real Madrid star being fit again
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Thomas Tuchel has already spelt out his vision as England manager. “For credibility, as a coach, you need to walk the talk,” said Tuchel when he named his squad for the friendly against Wales and the World Cup qualifier in Latvia.
Tuchel has made his position clear: this is his England team, he will pick who he wants and no-one can persuade him otherwise. There was no room for Jude Bellingham in this squad. Phil Foden was also left out. Jack Grealish faces a long battle to get in.
Instead, Tuchel has insisted he will stick with the players who won 5-0 in Serbia because they have earned their place - and deserve to keep it. That was the message Tuchel delivered to the players in the dressing room and to go back on his word would be hypocritical. It is, as Tuchel said, about walking the talk. Being good to your word.
And that is what we expect to see at Wembley on Thursday night and in Riga next Tuesday. Tuchel’s new-look England which is all about the team rather than individuals. The England line-up against Wales will be different and you need to make some changes to give players a chance. But you cannot rip it all up from that five-goal win in Serbia.
Otherwise you lose momentum and the feel good factor in the squad. Tuchel is trying to build team spirit, a club mentality and a strong dressing room. Former England star Steven Gerrard, with impeccable timing, talked about egos causing rifts when he played for his country. The Liverpool and Manchester United cliques.
That is what Tuchel is trying to avoid this time. A bond among the players and, in fairness, there was such a strong vibe around St George’s Park when the players did an indoor session on Monday. There were laughs, a very obvious togetherness and a good spirit. That is not to say Bellingham or Foden would spoil that - or even add to it.
But Tuchel clearly likes players who he views as adding to that team spirit. Dan Burn is a good example. Jordan Henderson is another. We may all have different views on whether they should be in the England squad.
Burn does not look an international defender and, if anything, looks cumbersome at awkward at 6ft 7in. Tuchel loves Burn as he is also a big threat at set pieces. He is nailed on for the squad.
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 8: England manager Thomas Tuchel oversees an England training session at St. George's Park on October 8, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel has stuck with a tried and tested squad(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Henderson is 35, has had a marvellous career and is a great leader. But is he in for playing ability? He says he’s no cheerleader. But what he offers off the pitch must be a factor.
But in building this England, Tuchel must also show he is on the right path and the only way he can do that is with performances and results. England looked stuck and questions were being asked of Tuchel before the Serbia game. They laboured to two boring wins over Andorra. They got stuffed by Senegal.
The defence is ageing and not what it was. The midfield was struggling to find balance. Who would play across the front line? Then England won in Serbia and the mood changed completely. That is why Tuchel decided to go in a different direction, move away from the big stars and stick with the players who delivered in Belgrade.
It is an admirable decision. But when you make big calls like leaving out Bellingham - he was injured and unavailable for Serbia - then it really ramps up the pressure. That is why England - and in particular Tuchel’s England - will be under the spotlight against Wales. Friendly or not, this is a big test for Tuchel.