Thomas Tuchel has explained the reasons as to why Jude Bellingham has not been called up for this month’s England squad, despite the midfielder now back fit.
Bellingham missed last month’s qualifiers as he stepped up his recovery from a shoulder operation, but has returned to action for Real Madrid since.
The 22-year-old has played four games for the Spanish giants since his comeback on September 20 – with his most recent outing being Tuesday’s 5-0 Champions League win at Kairat Almaty.
Despite playing for his club, he’s deemed not needed for his country at the moment with Tuchel opting to stick with the midfield options who helped England beat Andorra and Serbia in September.
Explaining why he has chosen his squad, Tuchel revealed he has spoken to Bellingham on the phone already.
‘The last camp was only three and a half weeks ago. Teamwork, team spirit were at the highest level so far.
Jude Bellingham (left) has been dropped from the England squad this month by Thomas Tuchel
Fellow attack-minded midfielders Morgan Rogers (centre) and Morgan Gibbs-White (right) have been picked ahead of Bellingham for England’s two matches this month
‘That’s why we decided to invite the same group into this camp, to make more stable what we started to build.
‘Are there players out there who deserve to be with us? Yes, for sure. Is there a way back into the team through performance? 100 per cent.
‘We think this is the best and most straightforward position. The competition is on to be in the squad and to make it onto the pitch.
‘I understand your focus on Jude [Bellingham]; he is a very special player, and for special players, there are special rules.
‘But for this camp we decided to stick with out decision to invite the same team, that also applies to Jude. He always deserves to be in camp.
‘There is also the situation that he hasn’t gathered his full rhythm for Real Madrid. He hasn’t finished one full match until now; he has only started one now.
‘He is getting back to full strength. We had a phone call. There is no issue from that side, he just lacks rhythm.’
As a result of Tuchel’s words his midfield options, for the friendly against Wales on October and World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14, are Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers.
Of that sextuplet, it would appear that Bellingham would be in direct competition with Gibbs-White and Rogers as they are more attack-minded.
Thomas TuchelJude Bellingham
