Thomas Tuchel believes Jude Bellingham exerted too much effort at Euro 2024 and needs to conserve his energy for key moments by playing with more discipline. As England’s head coach, Tuchel has been candid about areas for improvement and is applying the same approach to Bellingham.
The Real Madrid midfielder showcased moments of brilliance during the tournament, notably rescuing England against Slovakia in the last 16 with a dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick. However, some of his performances fell short of expectations. Playing primarily as a No 10, Bellingham sometimes struggled to connect with Harry Kane and occasionally opted to take matters into his own hands rather than playing within the team structure.
Despite this, his talent remains undeniable. He played a key role as England began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Albania, setting up Myles Lewis-Skelly’s opening goal with a well-crafted assist. He also came close to scoring himself. Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham’s ability but emphasized the need to refine his approach.
“He is always ready to give everything, but we need to help him so that within a structure he can play more economically and still have the same impact, or maybe even more,” Tuchel said.
He stressed the importance of leadership and cohesion, stating that key players must work together, move in sync, and maintain discipline to conserve energy for decisive moments. Tuchel was quick to praise Bellingham’s contributions, describing him as a team player capable of making a difference. He also highlighted the midfielder’s vocal presence on the pitch, noting his tendency to engage with both teammates and match officials.
“He loves to talk to the referee and the linesmen,” Tuchel said. “He’s a very emotional player once he’s on the pitch. You can see that he hates to lose and does everything it takes. He expresses himself fully.”
Tuchel believes that Bellingham’s competitive drive will remain a key asset but hopes he can learn to channel his emotions more effectively. He sees no issue with the midfielder’s intensity and is committed to maximizing his potential.
Beyond individual performances, Tuchel has reflected on England’s struggles at Euro 2024, where the team often played with caution. In his first match in charge since taking over, he noted that England lost their structure in the second half against Albania. He was particularly critical of his wingers, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, and is considering changes for the upcoming match against Latvia. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is under assessment after sustaining a hip injury.
“I’m not so sure why we struggled to have more impact with the wingers,” Tuchel said. “Why it was so difficult to find them in open spaces or deliver quicker to them. Or why they relied so heavily on passing and did not have enough dribbling or penetration without the ball. In general, we struggled to dare to take the risk.”
Tuchel acknowledged that international football presents unique challenges, particularly in adapting to its rhythm and preparing a squad with players from numerous clubs within a limited timeframe. Despite his impatience, he is committed to learning and pushing the team forward.
“I have to adapt to the rhythm of international football,” he said. “The challenge is preparing in three days with 20 players from 10 or 12 clubs, all with different ideas of football. I’m not the most patient guy in the world, but I will learn and push the players.”
