England manager Thomas Tuchel has leapt to the defence of midfielder Jude Bellingham following criticism of the 21-year-old’s fiery display in Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat to Senegal, a result that marked Tuchel’s first loss in charge of the national team.
Speaking in an interview with TalkSport, Tuchel admitted that even his own mother finds Bellingham’s on-field demeanour “repulsive” at times, but insisted the Real Madrid star possesses a rare “edge” that England must learn to harness.
“Sometimes you see the explosion towards referees and the anger in his game,” Tuchel explained. “My mum sees that and doesn’t understand how I can say he’s a nice, intelligent boy. But I know him. He is. He’s a special boy.”
Bellingham was visibly incensed on Tuesday when VAR chalked off a second-half goal he thought he had scored. At the time, England were trailing 2-1 at the City Ground. Despite his passionate protests, the decision stood, and Senegal later added a third to seal a famous victory.
Tuchel, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss, was quick to temper concern about Bellingham’s temperament, emphasising that his fire is not something to be extinguished — but refined.
“He brings an edge which we welcome and is needed if we want to achieve big things,” Tuchel said. “It just needs to be channelled towards the opponent and our goal — not at referees or team-mates.”
Bellingham came on as a second-half substitute in a much-rotated England side, with only Harry Kane retaining his starting place from the weekend’s win over Andorra. The defeat sparked concerns among supporters, some of whom questioned whether Bellingham’s emotional volatility was a liability.
Tuchel dismissed that view outright.
“I struggle to see that,” he responded when asked if England might be better off without the midfielder. “It has to be the other way around — how can we get the best version of him? He brings something we don’t have in abundance. That hunger, that rage — it’s rare.”
England remain top of Group K in World Cup qualifying, with nine points from three matches and no goals conceded. However, Tuchel acknowledged that results like Tuesday’s indicate that harmony in the squad is still a work in progress.
“There’s a lack of enthusiasm and joy consistently at this level,” Tuchel admitted. “We’re trying to get the best from this group, but it requires individuals stepping back for the greater good. That chemistry, that connection — we haven’t nailed it yet.”
With just over a year until the 2026 World Cup, England’s path forward is still being shaped. Tuchel has the credentials, but whether he can strike the right balance between passion and control — particularly with influential figures like Bellingham — remains to be seen.
England next face Andorra and Serbia in September, two matches that could further define the trajectory of this new-look Three Lions side under their meticulous German manager.
