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Thomas Tuchel has urged Jude Bellingham to “play more economically” as the new England manager looks to build his team around the dynamic midfielder.
The Three Lions boss said Bellingham was “a key player” but that the Real Madrid star “was trying to do too much” as England started their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley on Friday in Tuchel’s first game in charge.
Harry Kane, England’s all-time record goalscorer, netted his 70th senior international goal after teenage debutant Miles Lewis-Skelly had given the hosts the lead following an inch-perfect pass from Bellingham.
It was a solid rather than blistering start to Tuchel’s reign and the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and PSG boss was quick to highlight several areas requiring attention.
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One such facet pinpointed by the German was the contribution of Bellingham, who Tuchel believes needs to show more discipline in order to conserve energy.
“He’s a key player for us and will be a key player,” Tuchel said of the 21-year-old. “It’s now our job to find the structure and the space to make the most of him.”
“He had some highlight moments but sometimes it felt that maybe he was trying to do too much.
“He is always ready to give everything but we need to help him so that within a structure he can play more economically and still have the same impact, or maybe even more impact.
“We need to make sure that the leaders, and he is one of the leaders, and the main players, walk in the same direction and play in the same rhythm and help each other out. And play a little more disciplined maybe, to save some energy for the decisive moments.”
Tuchel also emphasised his desire for Bellingham to channel his emotions but hailed his character and competitiveness on the pitch.
“He loves to talk to the referee and the linesmen,” Tuchel said. “He’s a very emotional player once he’s on the pitch and you just see that he hates to lose and does everything that it takes. He expresses himself.
“You see the hunger and the desire to win. I think he will keep this hunger and learn to channel the emotions a little bit. That’s never a problem. It’s good to have him as he is. We will try to make the most out of it because he is a key player.”
Next up for England is the visit of Latvia on Monday evening as Tuchel aims to make it two wins from two.