England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed Jude Bellingham's reaction to being substituted in the 84th minute of their 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Albania on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of behavior and respect within the team. Bellingham, a Real Madrid midfielder, visibly displayed his frustration after being replaced by Morgan Rogers in Tirana.
The incident occurred near the end of the match, just after Harry Kane's late brace secured the win, ensuring England concluded their Group K campaign with a flawless record. Bellingham's substitution followed a yellow card he received in the 80th minute. Tuchel stated that Bellingham "has to accept the decision".
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Tuchel stated that having the right behavior is important to him and that he would review Bellingham's actions. "I don't want to make more out of it but I stick to my words – 'behaviour is key' and respect towards the team-mates who come in," Tuchel said. "Decisions are made and you have to accept it as a player".
Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham's competitive spirit but stressed the need for maintaining team standards. "To a certain degree, if you have players like Jude, who are so competitive, they will never like it," Tuchel said. However, he added, "My word stands, we are about standards, level and commitment to each other and respect to each other". He also noted that the team would "not change our decision just because someone waves their arms".
Tuchel highlighted the difficult decisions he faces, pointing out that Rogers was also deserving of a starting position. "Rogers was not happy when he couldn't start today because he deserves to play for us and he wants to play all the time," Tuchel said. He also mentioned that Bellingham's yellow card factored into the substitution decision.
This isn't the first time Tuchel has addressed Bellingham's behavior. He previously apologized for describing the midfielder’s on-field conduct as "repulsive". Bellingham had only recently returned to the England squad after recovering from an injury, making his start against Albania his first since June.
Tuchel also praised Harry Kane's professionalism, holding him up as an example for the team. "He runs back and helps us keep the clean sheet. The work ethic, the attitude is just outstanding," Tuchel said. "He is a leader and it speaks for itself".
Despite the focus on Bellingham's reaction, Tuchel emphasized the collective achievement of the team. England's victory marked their eighth consecutive qualifier win with a clean sheet in each game, making them the first European side to win at least six World Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal. Tuchel praised his squad's progress and their commitment to the collective. "Everything we did in camp is all about the collective," Tuchel stated.
