Tuchel Wants Jude Bellingham's Fire So Long As The Three Lions' Ace Leaves Egotism Outside.

A single omission proved sufficient. A second one and it would have started to look spiteful from Thomas Tuchel, who is far too wily not to know that winning the World Cup is probably going to require help from Jude Bellingham, even if it is equally on the midfielder to blend into the game plans and team pecking order required with the national team now that he is returned to the manager's welcoming fold.

The manager wants his aggressive mentality, his intensity, but it is a matter of channeling it constructively. Skill counts but the squad know from bitter experience that there is consequences when stardom dominates. Still, a point has been made.

The midfielder had much to ponder after not being selected of last month’s squad. He observed England qualify at next summer’s World Cup without him. He saw the young talent shine as a counterpressing attacking midfielder. He heard Tuchel mention appreciating the squad's spirit and values. Inevitably, Bellingham has reacted in top form, netting important strikes for his club against Barcelona and Juventus. He had to be picked; leaving him out again would have left his World Cup hopes in serious doubt.

The expectation is that Tuchel will have a midfielder concentrating on frightening rivals instead of teammates. After all, from a tactical perspective, there is no advantage to picking a fight with an elite performer in the world. The ideal scenario is that Bellingham’s time on the sidelines has shown him that representing the national team is a valuable, uncertain thing. The coach, on his side, can now provide cover for the youngster after proving that he is not afraid to take tough decisions.

“No issue exists with him, there is no problem with the character,” Tuchel commented. “Jude possesses a competitive streak. It takes a sharp mentality to succeed at the top that he has. Everyone need to support him and create a atmosphere where he can [have] his drive against rivals and in pursuit of success we are working towards as a team.”

Bellingham dominated most of the attention at the team news conference for this month’s dead-rubber qualifiers versus one opponent and the other. Who else? Indeed, how about another talent? Here is another prodigious No 10 in need of love and guidance. Foden has not played for the national team since spring and has struggled to reach his best this year but Tuchel could not ignore the 25-year-old after his performance in his club's victory versus the German side this week.

The question, however, is how to use the various creators at available. Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze merit inclusion and there will be compelling reasons to pick another youngster once he overcomes a fitness issue. Is selecting multiple creators to the World Cup be an overkill? The previous manager never found the optimal mix at the European Championship. He compromised by forcing Foden and Bellingham into the starting lineup, cramping the captain's style as a result.

It seems unlikely the current manager doing similar if it disrupts the team harmony. There is room for one No 10, with speedy wingers on the flanks. Clarity helps. Bellingham is in as a central attacker. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, called up for the first time, is a No 8 and the recalled Wharton will compete with another player as a defensive midfielder. Additionally, there is no wide role for Foden, who must play through the middle. The coach wants him near Kane. “It is illogical to ask Foden: ‘You are needed in the team but no spot exists in your preferred role, could you fill in at left wing? Or the other flank?’” he said. “He is to feature in the central attacking zone, in the middle of the pitch. I have this idea about him for a long time. In my view it suits him best.”

Tuchel agreed there are occasions when Foden has seemed out of sorts in an England shirt. “You feel as if, ‘Does he really enjoy it? And someone of his caliber who has obvious passion for the game, then obviously an issue exists, be it his role, the environment, it's unclear.

“In my opinion he is additionally so used to representing his club in a specific system, to have a defined role. I think he profits a lot from clarity. What is my position? In which positions should I turn? When should I to accelerate the match? Where do I have to defend?

The manager discussed one star making runs for tap-ins and the other scoring goals from 18 yards. He said he has a longlist of 60 players. Morgan Gibbs-White, others, James Trafford and the midfielder have dropped out. Nico O’Reilly is rewarded for his good displays for City at defense. Interest abounds.

The omission of the striker means there is no direct replacement for the captain in this squad. Fascinatingly, Tuchel hinted at using the playmaker as a deep-lying striker against one opponent or the other. Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, the midfielder and the winger are alternatives should he be absent. Since the place is booked, this is a moment for testing tactics.

Meanwhile, it is also a chance to foster the understanding with Bellingham flowing. It's surprising that one must look back to Bellingham setting up the captain to net in an international match versus the Scots in over a year ago to discover the one and only time in many appearances for England when the duo linked up for a score. Tuchel will know that the two stars only exchanged the ball once during the team's ties with one opponent and another at the European Championship. The connection is lacking.

“This is where eventually it falls to the responsibility of the players,” Tuchel said. He does not shy away to deliver home truths. Remains a feeling of Bellingham having to prove himself. He may not be guaranteed to begin against Serbia and Albania. Tuchel wants Bellingham onside but he will be watching him closely. Leave self-importance at the door. Doing so could turn a very strong England team into an superior one.