Thomas Tuchel has made it crystal clear: Jude Bellingham's starting berth at the World Cup is far from a done deal. Speaking to GoalZaza, the England...
Thomas Tuchel has made it crystal clear: Jude Bellingham's starting berth at the World Cup is far from a done deal. Speaking to GoalZaza, the England manager insisted that the Real Madrid midfielder faces a genuine scrap to get into his first eleven. This is not the usual diplomatic fluff you hear from a boss protecting his squad. This is a gauntlet thrown down.Let's be honest, Bellingham's form since the turn of the year has been patchy at best. He has been caught in possession too often, his pressing has lacked its usual bite, and his decision making in the final third has been erratic. For a player who was supposed to be the crown jewel of this Golden Generation, the inconsistency is a real concern. Tuchel, a tactician who demands absolute discipline and tactical flexibility, will not carry passengers. He will not pick based on reputation or price tag.So what does the fight look like Bellingham is up against a glut of elite operators. Declan Rice is a lock. You then have the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, who offers a calmness in possession that Tuchel admires, and Conor Gallagher, whose relentless energy in a high press is a weapon. Then you factor in the creative brilliance of Cole Palmer or the direct running of Phil Foden in the number ten slot. The simple fact is that Bellingham has to rediscover the ruthlessness that made him the best player in La Liga last season. He needs to get back in the box, attack the six yard line, and stop drifting out to the left touchline looking for cheap touches.For the England fans, this is squeaky bum time. We have seen Bellingham drag this team through tournaments before, but football has a very short memory. If he does not start imposing himself on games for Real Madrid in the run in, Tuchel will not hesitate to leave him on the bench. The manager is not here to massage egos. He is here to win a World Cup. And right now, the boy from Stourbridge has to earn his place in the mud and the grime of the Premier League and Champions League run in. No free passes. No favouritism. Just pure, unadulterated competition.
