England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed the secret behind Jude Bellingham's inspired displays for the national team, suggesting that a touch of controversy and competitive edge brings out the best in the Real Madrid midfielder. The comments came after a dramatic Wembley encounter between England and reigning world champions Spain, a fixture with extra emotional weight given England's heartbreaking semi-final exit to Argentina at the previous tournament.
Bellingham was at the heart of the action throughout a tense and closely fought contest, playing with an intensity that pushed Spain to the brink. His relentless effort nearly paid off in the closing stages when he forced a stretching save from Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon, denying England what would have been a dramatic late leveler.
Asked about what fuels Bellingham's performances in an England shirt, Tuchel didn't hold back in describing the mentality that drives his star midfielder. "He likes that," Tuchel said. "He gets better if that happens. It's better if he plays with a bit of rage. It's what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going."
The German coach was also asked to address a heated on-field exchange between Bellingham and his Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella, who lined up for Spain. The verbal spat between the two, who share a dressing room at club level, highlighted the fierce competitive instincts that switch on whenever Bellingham dons an England jersey.
"I think he doesn't know any teammates when he is in the national team," Tuchel explained. "He wants to win. He doesn't know any teammates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes."
The clash with Cucurella capped off a significant week for Bellingham, who was named England's Player of the Year for a second consecutive season, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in Tuchel's squad. His all-action approach has become a hallmark of his game, even if it occasionally raises questions about workload management given his heavy involvement at club level with Real Madrid.
With England's four-match autumn international window continuing, Tuchel confirmed his desire to feature Bellingham as much as possible, starting with the upcoming trip to face Czechia on Tuesday. However, the manager was quick to stress that player welfare remains the priority, and any decisions regarding minutes on the pitch will be made in consultation with medical staff.
"It's the only style he can play, that's just his game," Tuchel said of Bellingham's high-intensity approach. "It's not an economic game, but let's see. I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn't done it this season in this tight period. We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude in any risk. But in terms of style, it's just how he plays."
The balancing act between maximizing Bellingham's undeniable influence and safeguarding his fitness will likely remain a recurring theme as England navigate a busy schedule of fixtures. For now, though, Tuchel appears content to let his most dynamic performer channel his competitive fire in the manner that has made him one of the standout players in the national team setup.
Based on reporting from standard-football.