England manager Thomas Tuchel has welcomed Jude Bellingham back into the squad for the final World Cup qualifiers but made it clear — no one is untouchable, not even his brightest star.
Bellingham, 22, missed the last international window after Tuchel’s surprise decision to leave him out despite his wish to play. With qualification already secured, England’s upcoming fixtures against Serbia at Wembley and Albania serve as tune-ups — but for Bellingham, they mark the start of a personal audition.
Tuchel’s stance is firm: “No star system. No automatic recalls.” His message — England’s world will not revolve around Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid midfielder’s inclusion was inevitable, but his place in the starting XI is not guaranteed. Tuchel wants Bellingham to prove again why he deserves to start, especially with Phil Foden and Morgan Rogers staking their claims in attacking roles.
Tuchel revealed his tactical vision for Foden: “He’s strongest near the box — a mix between a nine and a ten. I don’t see him as a winger anymore.”
That shift creates direct competition for Bellingham, who has returned from shoulder surgery eager to reclaim his number 10 spot. “He knows from me that’s his position,” said Tuchel. “He has the hunger to score — we’ve seen that at Madrid, and we want it here too.”
Tuchel’s latest squad also features Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, while Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins miss out. Adam Wharton could finally see senior action, while veterans Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish remain sidelined — their World Cup hopes fading fast.
For Bellingham, the challenge is clear: prove to Tuchel he’s indispensable — not by reputation, but by performance.
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