England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a pointed message to star midfielder Jude Bellingham, emphasising that 'behaviour is key' following the player's visible frustration at being substituted during the 2-0 victory over Albania.
The Touchline Incident
The flashpoint occurred in the 84th minute of the match, moments after captain Harry Kane had scored his second goal to seal the win. With Bellingham already on a yellow card, Tuchel initiated a change, preparing Morgan Rogers to enter the pitch.
However, the Real Madrid star was clearly unhappy with the decision, waving his arms in protest when he realised he was the player being taken off. Tuchel confirmed he witnessed the reaction and stated he would review the incident after the final whistle.
Tuchel's Firm Stance on Standards
Addressing the media post-match, Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham's competitive nature but stood firmly by his decision. 'I saw that he was not happy,' said the England boss. 'To a certain degree, if you have players like Jude who are so competitive, they will never like it. But my word stands.'
He elaborated on the non-negotiable standards expected within the squad, highlighting the importance of respect for teammates. 'We are about standards and a level of commitment to each other and respect to each other,' Tuchel stated. 'So if someone is waiting outside, we will not change our decision just because someone is waving with their arms.'
He further explained the rationale behind the substitution, noting that the decision was made before Kane's second goal and that Bellingham's yellow card status was a factor. The manager insisted that players must accept such decisions for the good of the collective.
Celebration Clarification and Collective Focus
When it was suggested that Bellingham had not celebrated Kane's goal with the rest of the team, Tuchel expressed disappointment at such an impression. He clarified that footage showed Bellingham was part of the group congratulating the scorer, but he would still review the incident.
'That's a bad impression,' Tuchel remarked. 'It should be about the collective, and I think what we did in camp is all about the collective... That's not the image that we want to transport.'
In a show of balanced management, Tuchel also highlighted that substitute Morgan Rogers was himself unhappy at not starting the match, despite deserving to play. This underscored that tough decisions affect everyone and must be accepted by all squad members to maintain unity and focus.
