Thomas Tuchel had to save Jude Bellingham from himself against Latvia, subbing the Real Madrid star off after he escaped a second yellow card during Monday's 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying
Comments
Sport
16:05, 25 Mar 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, talks to Jude Bellingham of England as he is substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Latvia at Wembley Stadium on March 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel substituted Jude Bellingham against Latvia
(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham will grow out of being “emotional” and there is no need to make a “drama” out of his discipline. That was Thomas Tuchel’s view after the England manager substituted the Real Madrid star to stop him from being sent off at Wembley.
Bellingham, 21, was booked against Latvia late in the first half and was then lucky not to be sent off for a second yellow for a rash challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis. Tuchel replaced him soon after but was banned for two games last month after the Spanish Football Federation deemed he was guilty of swearing at a referee.
Bellingham is England’s biggest star, arguably their best player, and yet Tuchel says his temperament and desire to win is also “part of his game.” England boss Tuchel said: “He didn’t get sent off so we shouldn’t make a drama now like he was flying home from a World Cup.
“He didn’t get sent off and we took him off and we won 3-0 so I would take that result for the first match in a World Cup. This was not like a discipline problem. Two challenges and he got an early booking.
“The second one could have been but would have been harsh. Generally he knows that he can’t afford that. He’s emotional and he’s also still young so it’s also part of his game.”
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel warns FIFA over England stars' welfare ahead of Club World Cup fixture chaosREAD MORE: Thomas Tuchel drops Harry Maguire bombshell as Man Utd star sent England message
Tuchel described Bellingham as a “pleasure to work with“ ahead of the Latvia match but admitted that he needs to “channel the emotions.“ "He (Bellingham) loves to talk to the referee and the linesmen,” the German explained. “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.”
Is Jude Bellingham's discipline a concern for England? Have your say in the comments section.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Jude Bellingham of England looks dejected during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Latvia at Wembley Stadium on March 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham's behaviour has been in the spotlight(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
When asked if Bellingham tried to do “too much“ at last summer's European Championship, he replied: “Yes. He is always ready to give everything but 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 main players, the key players, walk in the same direction and play in the same rhythm and help each other out. And play a little more disciplined maybe, to save some energy for the decisive moments.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.