Thomas Tuchel was right to call Jude Bellingham 'repulsive' – now England are reaping the rewards. The England midfielder has been in scintillating form at the 2026 World Cup, but some fans are mistakenly suggesting this proves Tuchel was wrong to call out his behaviour last year.
Tuchel's Criticism Was Spot On
Bellingham entered this World Cup with three major tournaments under his belt and as many memorable England performances as Tottenham have Premier League trophies. His only notable impact was a bicycle kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024, a moment he immediately ruined by grabbing his crotch and moaning at the audience.
Tuchel knew exactly how to turn Bellingham from a pompous pillock with an ego the size of Harry Maguire's forehead into a humble, disciplined, lung-busting machine. By calling out his 'Billy Big B*******' routine, Tuchel has scrubbed most of the Hollywood gunk off England's best midfielder and turned him into Zinedine Zidane, only with a decent hairline and hopefully fewer headbutts.
According to Harry Brent, Senior Sports Writer, 'Bellingham is busting a gut, keeping his head down and leading by example – not sauntering around the centre circle like a catwalk model waiting for his lighting cues.' Tuchel's treatment of Bellingham has been on the money, giving a petulant superstar the categorical booting up the arse that might just win England the World Cup.
ITV Commentators Under Fire
Brent also criticised ITV's lead commentating duo Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon, calling them 'two blokes with the collective charisma of an unbuttered Ryvita biscuit.' He compared them to Gianni Infantino, saying they are in the top job but no one knows how they got there or why they haven't been replaced.
Dixon is described as a 'literal vampire of joy,' looking and sounding miserable with the enthusiasm of Keir Starmer handing Andy Burnham a 'Congratulations on the New Job' card. Matterface is called a 'lukewarm pint of Neck Oil' – completely inescapable and utterly overrated, offering empty platitudes instead of empty calories.
Brent concluded that between them, they are a bigger triumph of mediocrity than Chelsea under BlueCo, and urged ITV to kick them to the curb.
