Thomas Tuchel Wants Bellingham's Aggression So Long As The Three Lions' Ace Leaves Egotism at the Door.

A single omission did the trick. A second one and it might have appeared vindictive from the England manager, who is much too clever not to know that claiming the World Cup trophy is probably going to require contributions by Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally up to the player to blend into the strategic frameworks and squad hierarchies necessary with England now that he is back in Tuchel's supportive environment.

Tuchel desires his aggressive mentality, his intensity, but it is a matter of using it in the right way. Skill is important but the squad know from bitter experience that there is a cost when celebrity takes over. Still, a statement has been delivered.

Bellingham was given food for thought after being left out of the previous squad. He observed the national side qualify at the tournament without him. He saw Morgan Rogers shine as a counterpressing No 10. He heard Tuchel talk about appreciating the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has responded in winning fashion, scoring crucial goals for his club against their rivals and Juventus. He had to be picked; another omission would have made his squad place precarious.

The hope is that the manager will have a Bellingham directed towards pressuring the opposition rather than his own colleagues. After all, on a pure footballing level, there is no advantage to picking a fight with one of the best players in the world. The best outcome is that his period on the sidelines has shown him that playing for one's country is a precious, uncertain thing. Tuchel, for his part, can now throw a protective shield around the 22-year-old after demonstrating that he is unafraid to take tough decisions.

“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with the character,” the German said. “Bellingham possesses the edge. It takes that kind of fire to reach the heights that he reached. We all need to support him and establish a setting where he can channel his drive against rivals and in pursuit of success we are striving for as a team.”

Bellingham dominated most of the attention at Tuchel’s squad announcement for this month’s meaningless matches against one opponent and Albania. Any other news? Well, how about Phil Foden? Here is another prodigious playmaker in need of support and direction. Foden has not played for England since spring and has struggled to reach his best this year but Tuchel could not ignore the player after his performance in his club's victory versus the German side this week.

The question, however, is the best way to deploy the attacking talents at England’s disposal. Rogers and Eberechi Eze deserve their spots and there will be a strong case to pick Cole Palmer once he is fit after a ongoing injury. Would taking multiple creators to the tournament be an overkill? Gareth Southgate failed to discover the optimal mix at the European Championship. He compromised by squeezing Foden and Bellingham into the team, restricting the captain's style in the process.

It is hard to see the current manager making the same mistake if it harms the attacking balance. Space exists for a single playmaker, with speedy wingers on the wings. Clarity is beneficial. Bellingham is in as a No 10. The new call-up, selected for the first time, is a No 8 and the returning Wharton will compete with Elliot Anderson as a defensive midfielder. Additionally, there is no position on the wing for Foden, who has to be central. Tuchel wants him near the striker. “It does not make sense to tell Foden: ‘We want you in the team but no spot exists on your best position, can you play the left side? Or the right wing?” he said. “Phil will play in the No 9-10ish position, in the middle of the pitch. I've long had this vision about him for years. I think it matches his abilities the most.”

He agreed there are times when the player has not looked himself in an national jersey. “You feel almost like, ‘Does he like it?’ And someone of his caliber who has this childish joy for the game, then obviously something is not right, be it his role, the environment, I don’t know.

“In my opinion he is also accustomed to representing Man City in a certain structure, to have a defined role. Believe he profits greatly from clarity. Where do you want me to be? In which positions should I turn? Where am I supposed to accelerate the match? What are my to defend?

Tuchel discussed one star bursting through for tap-ins and the other netting strikes from 18 yards. He added he has a longlist of many candidates. Morgan Gibbs-White, others, James Trafford and the midfielder have dropped out. A new face is rewarded for his good displays for Manchester City at left-back. Interest is high.

The omission of Ollie Watkins means there is no direct replacement for Kane in this squad. Interestingly, Tuchel suggested using Foden as a false 9 against one opponent or Albania. Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Bellingham and the winger are alternatives if he be unavailable. With qualification secured, this is a moment for trying new things.

At the same time, it is additionally a chance to get the understanding with Bellingham going. It's surprising that you have to go back to Bellingham setting up the captain to score in an international match versus Scotland in over a year ago to discover the sole instance in 35 games for the national team when the pair combined for a score. The coach will be aware that the two stars only exchanged the ball a single time during England’s draws with one opponent and Slovenia at the Euros. The connection is missing.

“At this point at some point it becomes the responsibility of the players,” he stated. He does not shy away to speak frankly. There is still a feeling of the player being on trial. He may not be guaranteed to begin against the upcoming opponents. Tuchel desires Bellingham onside but he will be monitoring him carefully. Set aside the ego outside. Doing so could turn a powerful England team into an even better one.