Softfootball reports that England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he will speak personally with Jude Bellingham in the coming weeks, stressing that the midfielder remains a key part of his long-term plans despite being left out of the latest squad.
The Real Madrid star, 21, was a notable absentee from England’s 5-0 win over Latvia and the friendly against Wales, a move that sparked plenty of chatter among fans and pundits. But Tuchel made it clear; as revealed by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, there was no disciplinary issue involving Bellingham, he said, who is still regaining full match sharpness after shoulder surgery in July 2025.
Fabrizio Posted:
Tuchel confirms he’ll speak to Jude Bellingham: Of course, he’s an important and big player. No one has done anything wrong, it’s not a punishment or whatever, and I feel when I text them or I speak to them everyone is eager to come back.
Although Bellingham has returned to action for Real Madrid, his minutes remain limited, recently playing just 27 minutes in the team’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal, and Tuchel preferred to maintain the same squad that earned back-to-back wins over Serbia and Andorra in September.
The England boss also reached out to other high-profile absentees like Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Adam Wharton, emphasising communication and consistency as England prepare for the next phase of their World Cup campaign.
With qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup already sealed, Tuchel’s focus now shifts to rotation and squad balance. He is expected to announce the next list of call-ups around November 7, ahead of upcoming fixtures against Serbia and Albania.
Tuchel’s handling of Bellingham — calm, measured, and respectful — shows he’s focused on building a squad united by trust, not panic. The message is clear: England’s young talisman still has a major role to play, just not rushed back before he’s ready.
