Thomas Tuchel decides to recall Jude Bellingham in key England squad

"The head coach sparked a major sideshow in October when he did not select Bellingham for the friendly with Wales and the qualifier against Latvia. Bellingham was not in prime physical condition having returned to the Real Madrid squad after shoulder surgery only a couple of weeks before Tuchel's announcement. It was nonetheless a bombshell call given Bellingham's ability and status, with Tuchel doubling down on it when he said he might have excluded him even if he had been 100% fit."

"Tuchel wanted to reward the players who ignited his tenure in September with the win over Serbia in Belgrade plus the home victory over Andorra when Bellingham was unavailable. He named the same initial squad, the injuries to Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke not withstanding, and the themes were faith and continuity; an attempt to build spirit and momentum. Inevitably, though, the move was interpreted as a slight on Bellingham, who had wanted and perhaps expected to be included."

"England face Serbia at Wembley next Thursday and Albania in Tirana three days later, having guaranteed their place at the finals with six qualifying wins out of six. It feels as if Tuchel has made his point about what is important and Bellingham will be expected to embrace the collective; the competition that the manager has repeatedly said is on."

Jude Bellingham has been recalled to England's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. Tuchel omitted Bellingham in October while the player was recovering from shoulder surgery and not in prime physical condition. Tuchel defended the decision and suggested he might have left Bellingham out even if fully fit. The manager kept faith with players who secured early qualifying wins, naming an initial squad focused on continuity and momentum despite injuries to Livramento and Madueke. England have already guaranteed a finals place with six wins from six, and Bellingham is expected to embrace collective competition ahead of one final pre-tournament camp.

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