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Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Jude Bellingham out of his England squad is one of the biggest calls in recent international history and the national coach is refusing to guarantee the Real Madrid superstar a way back.
Tuchel's bombshell decision to leave Bellingham out of his squad for this month's games against Wales and Latvia has sent shockwaves across the game - and doubtless the England dressing room - as his players begin their countdown to next summer's World Cup in America.
Bellingham missed the last England camp after shoulder surgery but is back in the Real Madrid team and wanted to be selected. Tuchel's decision to leave him out has not been made on medical advice – it is a football decision – and has therefore sent a clear message to him in terms of what he expects in terms of behaviour and attitude.
It was only last June when Tuchel said some of Bellingham's behaviour had 'repulsed' the German's mother. And though he has subsequently apologised and sought refuge in context and clumsy English, that word still hangs in the air.
Now Tuchel has drawn another line in the sand. Having made only one injury-driven change from the squad that gathered for last month's games against Andorra and Serbia, he has told Bellingham and other absentees like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish that it is now up to him to force his hand.
'Everyone tells me, and it is my experience so far, that in international football it becomes even more relevant to the team spirit,' said Tuchel at Wembley today.
Tuchel's decision to leave Bellingham out of his England squad is one of the biggest calls in recent international history and the national coach is refusing to guarantee him a way back
Tuchel has made only one injury-driven change from the squad that faced Andorra and Serbia last month - and he has told Bellingham that it is now up to him to force his hand
'I believe strongly that it is maybe the most important thing in club football but for sure in international football. So this group set the standards in the last camp and deserved to be in camp again.
'Team spirit is the key factor. We want to develop something special and I truly believe that the fans can feel there is a team out there that loves to play with each other, that loves to run for each other, that is there to give everything.
'That was clearly visible in the match against Serbia so now it is on us to follow up on that and for that we didn't take any chances.
'We took a very straightforward decision to go with the same group of players.'
Tuchel was unwavering in terms of his conviction but his logic, his argument, is not without holes. By suggesting he wants to reward players for a 5-0 win in Serbia, he is in danger of sending out a message that winning teams – or squads – cannot be changed.
It seems unfeasible that Bellingham – for all the challenges he presents in terms of countenance and positional discipline on the field – will not be on the plane for the World Cup. The likes of Foden and Grealish have greater challenges to overcome from that point of view.
Can England really win a World Cup without their best player?
'Listen, do I believe that we are a stronger team with Jude?,' Tuchel asked.
Tuchel s has also looked over Jack Grealish, despite the winger's positive displays at Everton
'Yes.
'Is he one of the best players in the world in midfield? Yes.
'But I told you last time when he was injured, what are we doing if a player like Jude is injured before the World Cup? Do we then cancel? Do we not travel? This is a team sport.
'We have to find solutions.
'I think we found solutions in the last camp, so this is more about the last camp and what we started to build than about the dependency on individual players.'
It is understood Tuchel called Bellingham – and others – yesterday to tell them they would not be involved in this meet-up.
Asked today if there were any guarantees they would be back for a double-header with Serbia and Albania in November, he was categorical.
'100 per cent there are no guarantees,' Tuchel said.
By suggesting he wants to reward players for a 5-0 win in Serbia, Tuchel is in danger of sending out a message that winning teams – or squads – cannot be changed
'I understand your focus on Jude of course. First of all, he is a very special player and for special players there can always be special rules. I get this.
'He deserves always to be in camp. I think there is an extra layer on top of it, the situation that he has not gathered full rhythm yet at Real Madrid.
'He hasn't finished one full match until now. He has only started one match, so he is at the moment in the period where he gets his rhythm, where he gets back to full strength.
'There is this extra layer into the decision but the decision stayed for this camp.
'He could have been called up and wanted to be called up. We had a phone call. There was no issue from that side.
'There is also no problem between me and Phil Foden, there is no problem between me and Jack Grealish. Very special players.
'Phil is back to influencing games, deciding games for Manchester City.
'Jack is very close to being the best version of himself – a very special player, a very special character.
It is understood Tuchel called Bellingham – and others – yesterday to tell them they would not be involved in this meet-up and said there was 'no guarantee' they would be back in November
'There is no problem at all and there is no personal problem in the nomination.
'But if we say the competition is on, then the competition is on.
'We cannot say that like for 80 per cent of the squad the competition is on but for 20 per cent it is not on. It's on.
'The competition is on. The team did very, very well and deserve to be in camp again.'
