Jude Bellingham's place in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup is not guaranteed, with manager Thomas Tuchel making it clear that the Real Madrid star, like all players, must adhere to a non-negotiable principle: complete commitment and respect for team decisions.

Bellingham's recent behavior has come under scrutiny, particularly following England's 2-0 victory against Albania in their World Cup qualifying match. Despite being back in the starting lineup for the first time since June, Bellingham visibly displayed his frustration when Tuchel substituted him in the 84th minute. This reaction, which included waving his arms in the air, occurred shortly after Harry Kane's second goal secured the win.

Tuchel addressed the situation head-on, stating, "That's the decision, and he has to accept the decision". He emphasized the importance of respecting teammates and the coach's choices, adding, "His friend is waiting on the sideline, so you need to accept it, respect it, and keep on going". Tuchel also said, "Behaviour is key and respect towards the teammates who come in”. When questioned if Bellingham’s reaction showed disrespect, Tuchel responded that he was going to review it, and acknowledged that Bellingham was not happy about the decision.

This incident isn't the first time Bellingham's attitude has been a topic of discussion. There have been reports suggesting that some within the England camp find him to be "too self-absorbed". Furthermore, Tuchel had previously apologized for a misinterpreted comment where he said Bellingham’s mother found some of his antics on the pitch "repulsive".

Tuchel had raised eyebrows when he left Bellingham out of the October international games. At the time, Tuchel stated that Bellingham was desperate to be involved. He also conveyed to Bellingham that he would have to fight for his place in the team for the World Cup because Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers had performed well in his place.

Despite these concerns, Tuchel has also affirmed Bellingham's importance to the team. He intends to speak with Bellingham in the lead-up to the November games against Serbia and Albania, with a possible recall in mind. He said that he would speak to a lot of players, especially the ones who were not in camp. The England boss insisted there was no issue between them.

Tuchel has made it clear that "buying in" to the team's ethos is a non-negotiable for all players, including stars like Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish. "I don't doubt, if we invite them, then we are sure that they will buy in. Otherwise, we will not invite them. Why would we? This is a non-negotiable," Tuchel stated. He also highlighted the deserving and hungry players who are eager to be part of the squad, emphasizing that this mindset is essential.

While Bellingham's talent is undeniable, Tuchel's firm stance underscores the significance of team unity and respect for decisions. Bellingham’s reaction casts a cloud over England until the team meets again in March. As England progresses towards the World Cup, Bellingham will need to demonstrate that he can fully embrace Tuchel's team-first philosophy to secure his place in the squad and contribute to the team's success.