Jude Bellingham played a big part for England at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, and manager Thomas Tuchel has outlined how he aims to get the best out of the midfielder
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Jude Bellingham speaking with Thomas Tuchel during England vs Albania
Jude Bellingham speaking with Thomas Tuchel during England vs Albania
(Image: Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel aims to channel Jude Bellingham’s emotions in a bid to make him England’s main man. Bellingham’s passions can sometimes get the better of him - and Tuchel also feels that the Real Madrid midfielder is so desperate to be at his very best that he often takes too much responsibility on his young shoulders.
But the Three Lions boss has made it clear that it took the 21-year-old just 90 minutes against Albania on Friday night to show that he’s a player the German can build his team around as he looks to plot a qualifying route to next year’s World Cup.
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Tuchel said: “Jude is a key player for us - and will be a key player for us. He is always happy to take the responsibility, but he’s a team player who is absolutely open to give everything for the team.
"Jude is always able to make the difference - but we need to find the structure and the space to make the most of it. It’s a pleasure to work with him. We need to help him so that, within a structure, he can play more economically and still have the same impact - or maybe even more impact.
"We need to make sure that the leaders - and he is one of the leaders - and the key players walk in the same direction and play in the same rhythm and help each other out. He can play a little more disciplined, maybe, to save some energy for the decisive moments.”
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Bellingham was instrumental in England reaching the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar and the final of Euro 2024 in Germany. But despite building up a vast well of experience, he sometimes allows his competitive spirit to boil over.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund favourite was shown a straight red card for dissent in February. But his brilliance shone through as England opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory at Wembley, with Bellingham’s brilliant pass setting up the opening goal for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Jude Bellingham on the ball during England vs Albania
Bellingham impressed in Tuchel's first match(Image: Getty Images)
Tuchel said: “Jude loves to talk to the referee and the linesmen. He’s a very emotional player once he’s on the pitch and I think you just see that he hates to lose and does everything that it takes.
"He expresses himself. You see the hunger and the desire to win. I think he will keep this hunger and learn to channel the emotions a little bit. That’s never a problem. It’s good to have him as he is. We will try to make the most out of it because he is a key player.”
Jude Bellingham applauding at the end of England vs Albaina
Bellingham applauding at the end of England vs Albaina
England return to Wembley on Monday night to face Latvia - and Tuchel is already feeling the nation’s love. A huge banner welcoming the German to the home of football was unveiled before the victory over Albania.
And Tuchel said: “I saw the banner. It was fantastic, amazing, thank you so much for that. It was amazing to hear the national anthem and to be in charge. It still feels great, I love the group of players - and now we will try to squeeze the best out of them.”
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