England manager Thomas Tuchel has made some candid remarks about Jude Bellingham, acknowledging the Real Madrid star's fiery on-field persona can be both a strength and a potential drawback. In a recent interview, Tuchel admitted that Bellingham's passion and intensity, while valuable assets, can sometimes manifest in ways that intimidate teammates and even repulse observers, including his own mother.

Tuchel's comments come after England's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Senegal, a match where Bellingham's disallowed goal and subsequent protests highlighted his competitive edge. While acknowledging Bellingham's "fire," Tuchel emphasized the importance of channeling that energy in the right direction. He stressed that Bellingham's focus should be on the opponent and the team's goals, rather than on intimidating teammates or being overly aggressive towards officials.

"He has the fire, and I don't want to dim this down," Tuchel stated. "He should play with this kind of fire; that's his strength. But the fire also comes with some attributes that can intimidate you, maybe even as a teammate." Tuchel pointed to Bellingham's occasional outbursts towards referees and visible anger as examples of this.

Tuchel revealed that his own mother has expressed reservations about Bellingham's behavior, finding it "a bit repulsive" at times. This highlights the dual perception of Bellingham, who is also recognized as a "nice kid, very open, very intelligent," according to Tuchel. The England manager believes that harnessing Bellingham's positive attributes while mitigating the negative ones is key to unlocking his full potential for the national team.

Tuchel is determined to work with Bellingham to channel his aggression effectively. He believes that if Bellingham can direct his passion towards positive outcomes, he will be an invaluable asset to the team. Tuchel wants Bellingham to inspire his teammates, not intimidate them. He recognizes the fine line between a competitive edge and detrimental behavior and aims to help Bellingham strike the right balance.

Despite the challenges, Tuchel is optimistic about Bellingham's ability to adapt and refine his approach. He sees the 21-year-old as a special talent with a unique edge that is hard to find. Tuchel's focus is on creating an environment where Bellingham can thrive, utilizing his passion and intensity to drive the team forward while maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere. He wants to find the best version of Bellingham and ensure that people understand the unique qualities he brings to the team.