Mum thinks Bellingham can be repulsive but I see special boy - Tuchel

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Bellingham, 21, expressed his frustration following a VAR decision that disallowed his goal during the second half of Tuesday's friendly match against Senegal, where England was trailing 2-1.

Ultimately, England lost the match 3-1 at the City Ground, marking Tuchel's inaugural defeat as the national team coach.

In a Talksport interview, Tuchel remarked that he does not wish to suppress Bellingham's "fire," but it needs to be "channeled" properly.

"I believe he offers an edge that we appreciate and requires if we aim to reach great heights," stated the former Chelsea manager. "This energy should be directed towards our opponents and our own goal, rather than intimidating teammates or displaying aggression towards them and officials. The focus should always be on finding solutions and winning."

"He possesses that spark, and I want him to maintain it. He ought to play with that passion, but this intensity can sometimes manifest in ways that might be daunting, even for his teammates."

"There are instances where you witness his outbursts directed at referees and the fury evident in his gameplay. If he can harness this energy correctly, and we can assist him in doing so, then he undoubtedly brings what we require—a unique advantage that is rare."

"He's a lovely young man, very approachable, highly intelligent, and he has been quite easy to manage up to this point."

When Tuchel was asked if there might be fans who believe England would fare better without Bellingham, he countered: "I find that hard to understand and believe it should be the opposite—focusing on how to present the best version of him, allowing people to appreciate what he contributes and the distinct edge he offers."

"I recognize that this can elicit mixed feelings. I notice this with my own parents, particularly my mother, who sometimes struggles to see the kind, well-mannered young man that I do."

"When he smiles, he wins everyone over. Yet, at times, you can see the fierce desire, the hunger, and the passion that may appear unpalatable, particularly for my mother when she watches him on the television. I recognize this, but overall, we're delighted to have him. He's truly a remarkable young man."

According to Sport, the Football Association has no concerns regarding the interview.

The governing body is confident that Tuchel aimed to convey the exceptional nature of Bellingham—a sentiment they believe the head coach successfully expressed.

Players "lacking enthusiasm and joy"

In the match against Senegal, Tuchel implemented ten alterations to his starting eleven compared to Saturday's World Cup qualifying triumph over Andorra, with only captain Harry Kane retaining his position.

When questioned about maximizing the talents at his disposal and whether some players might need to adjust for the collective benefit of the team, Tuchel stated: "Gareth [Southgate] and Lee [Carsley] worked diligently to assemble as many of these exceptionally skilled players as possible."

“I am currently making an effort, yet we still sense a persistent lack of enthusiasm and joy in our international performance.

“I can emphasize that every individual must be willing to take a pause for the collective benefit. It is our responsibility to discover the right blend, the proper team dynamics, the suitable chemistry, and the connections among team members that foster enjoyment in playing together. We have not achieved this yet.

“The initial training camp was a positive development, while the second camp presented a bit of a mix. As we approach September, October, and November, the competition naturally intensifies, making player selection more straightforward and the atmosphere more serious as we prepare for a World Cup year.”

England's upcoming two matches will take place in September, with World Cup qualifying games against Andorra and Serbia on the schedule.

Tuchel's team has secured a full nine points from their opening three matches, maintaining a clean sheet, thereby positioning themselves at the forefront of Group K.