Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham is at his best when he plays with “fire and rage.” In fact, England boss Tuchel says it is the only way Bellingham knows how to play. And it is definitely the only way England know how to play.
Real Madrid superstar Bellingham was sensational against Spain and he actually got better and stronger as the game wore on. England had the beating of Spain when it was high intensity, chaotic and fast. Spain came out on top because they remained calm, rode their luck and showed their experience and quality.
But if any one player showed England can compete with the best then it was Bellingham. And despite being an absolute world superstar with Real Madrid, some of his best qualities are English.
Tuchel on Bellingham's style
“It’s the only style he can play, that’s just his game,” said Tuchel who said he thrived on the atmosphere, occasion and even his Real Madrid team mate Marc Cucurella trying to wind him up.
“He likes that. He gets better if that happens. It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going.
“I think he doesn’t know any team-mates on the national team. He wants to win. He doesn’t know any team-mates. He is still friends with them but not for the 90 minutes.”
Bellingham was strong throughout, providing the assist for Antony Gordon’s equaliser. He also won the penalty which Harry Kane missed after slipping. In injury time, his fierce shot nearly brought another equaliser. This was World Cup Jude at Wembley. He is still only 23 and can become England’s most capped player of all time and the best player in the nation’s history.
Concerns over workload
But Bellingham only knows how to play one way and, despite Tuchel insisting that he will not rest and rotate, it is unlikely that even England’s midfield master will be able to complete four lots of 90 minutes in the space of 11 days. Tuchel says there is a big difference between 70 minutes and 90 because the last 20 is generally when players get injured.
Tuchel warned: “He doesn’t play an economic game but let’s see. I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn’t done it this season in this tight period. We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude at any risk. But is style is how he plays.”
And make no mistake, Bellingham - and Kane - would get into this Spain team. Gordon played really well and might push Nico Williams. The point is the gap is closing but it is not because England have suddenly changed their DNA and play better football like Spain. Spain’s success would suggest their style is better. But England cannot suddenly reinvent themselves. That is for future generations.
Defensive errors and Kane's miss
England did go toe-to-toe with the world champions and had the beating of them when they were playing their brand of chaotic, high intensity football. Spain were controlled, brilliant and showed their quality because they never panicked even when they were 2-1 down and under the cosh.
That was the difference. Along with one Harry Kane slip from a missed penalty to make it 3-1. England were shocking defensively. They made so many errors. England’s defence was not good enough at the World Cup. And it is still an issue. They could have gone 4-0 down. James Trafford was a positive on his big audition.
Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi both made big mistakes which led to goals with Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal on target. Maybe the Manchester City pair were distracted by the seismic events with their club under threat from Premier League charges. They looked it.
Kane made it 86 goals from 122 caps to put England ahead. And at 2-1 up, England were so in control. Spain were overwhelmed. Kane’s miss was a moment which cost England.
Tuchel added: “If Harry doesn’t slip we win the game. You can have a different point of view but from mine if Harry doesn’t slip we go two goals up. We were clearly the better team until that moment in the second half and we win that game.
“But even if we had won we would have deserved it but it wouldn’t have made us favourites for the Euros. We need to go step by step. They came with the strongest team I think.
“We had some key players missing. I am fine with this performance. We could have won the game and didn’t. I have told you the reasons and that’s it.”
