England manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why Jude Bellingham was left out of the latest England squad, despite being named 2024/25 England men’s senior player of the year only days earlier. The Real Madrid midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best young players in world football, has just returned from shoulder surgery and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes since his comeback.
Tuchel announced his 24-man squad for the upcoming Wembley friendly against Wales on 9 October and the World Cup qualifier in Latvia on 14 October. The omission of Bellingham raised eyebrows, given his stature and the fact that he was back on the pitch for Madrid. According to Tuchel, however, the decision was based on fitness and rhythm rather than form or favouritism.
“First of all, he’s a very special player,” Tuchel said. “For special players, there can always be special rules, I get this. But for this camp, we decided to stick with our straightforward decision to invite the same team as last time. Jude deserves to be in camp but has not gathered full rhythm yet at Real Madrid.”
The 22-year-old has played four matches since returning but has only started once and has yet to complete a full game. That, in Tuchel’s view, is not enough to justify inclusion at this stage, particularly with England already building momentum in his absence during the September international break.
Tuchel insists no problem with Bellingham
Speculation quickly arose that Tuchel may have clashed with Bellingham, but the manager was quick to dismiss suggestions of a rift.
“He wanted to be called up, we had a phone call. There is no problem between me and Jude Bellingham. There is also no problem between me and Phil Foden, or between me and Jack Grealish. They are very special players.” — Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel highlighted the form of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish as examples of players regaining sharpness after their own dips in fitness and form. Both are included in this squad, with Tuchel praising their recent performances for Manchester City.
The manager also acknowledged Bellingham’s quality, admitting that England are stronger with him in the team: “Do I believe we are a stronger team with Jude Bellingham? Yes. Is he one of the best midfield players in the world? Yes. But this is more about what we started to build last camp than dependency on individual players.”
England’s midfield without Bellingham
In Bellingham’s absence, England’s midfield will lean on the likes of Declan Rice, Anderson, and Gibbs-White in hisrole. Tuchel used the September fixtures to trial different combinations, and the results were positive enough for him to persist with the same group.
With Wales offering a high-intensity test and Latvia a potential banana skin in qualification, the manager has prioritised continuity. The question remains whether Bellingham will be fully reintegrated for November’s internationals, assuming his minutes at Real Madrid increase.
Player focus: Jude Bellingham season stats (Real Madrid 2025/26 so far)
| Stat (2025/26) | Jude Bellingham |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
source: Real Madrid match data – 3 October 2025
Bellingham’s numbers highlight a player easing back into top-level football after surgery. While he has shown flashes of creativity with an assist, the lack of full-match fitness remains Tuchel’s central concern.
Analyst verdict: Tuchel’s pragmatic gamble
John William, FootballPlace analyst, believes Tuchel is taking a calculated risk.
“Leaving Bellingham out is brave but logical. Managers often rush their stars back, but Tuchel clearly values rhythm and cohesion. By keeping faith with the squad that delivered in September, he avoids disrupting chemistry. The downside is that he leaves out a game-changer, which could backfire if England stumble.”
William adds: “This is also about managing Bellingham long-term. England will need him in peak condition for the World Cup qualifiers next year. Tuchel’s cautious approach may frustrate fans, but it could prove wise come tournament time.”
Key insights
- Jude Bellingham omitted from England’s October squad despite Player of the Year award.
- Tuchel says the midfielder is still lacking full match rhythm at Real Madrid.
- England face Wales (9 October) and Latvia (14 October) this month.
- Tuchel denies rumours of a rift with Bellingham, Foden or Grealish.
- The decision is about squad continuity rather than individual talent.
What’s next for England?
England will first test themselves in a high-profile friendly against Wales at Wembley before heading to Riga to face Latvia in World Cup qualifying. Both fixtures will be crucial in assessing Tuchel’s tactical direction, particularly in midfield without Bellingham.
If Real Madrid gradually increase Bellingham’s minutes in October and November, a return to the England squad before the end of the year looks likely. For now, Tuchel’s decision is one of patience — trusting in squad stability over immediate star power.
👉 Was Tuchel right to snub Jude Bellingham for fitness reasons, or should England always pick their best players?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 3 Oct 2025 12:15
Not a shock to be honest, doesn't perform well this season, what's more a shock is that he left out Foden and Grealish..
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *