England manager Thomas Tuchel has ignited a debate surrounding Jude Bellingham's on-field demeanor, revealing that his own mother finds some aspects of the young midfielder's behavior "repulsive." These comments, made in a recent interview with talkSPORT, have sparked discussion about Bellingham's temperament and how it might affect both his team and public perception.

Tuchel's remarks came after England's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Senegal, a match where Bellingham had a goal disallowed due to a controversial VAR decision. The manager acknowledged Bellingham's "fire" and "edge," qualities that have fueled his rapid rise to stardom with Real Madrid and the England national team. However, he also admitted that this intensity can sometimes manifest in ways that are off-putting to some observers.

"I see this with my parents, with my mum, that she sometimes cannot see the nice and well-educated and well-behaved guy that I see," Tuchel explained. "If he smiles, he wins everyone. But sometimes you see the rage, you see the hunger and the rage and the fire, and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive, for example, for my mother, when she sits in front of the TV."

Tuchel emphasized the importance of channeling Bellingham's passion in the right direction, stating that his "edge needs to be channeled toward the opponent, towards our goal and not to intimidate team-mates, or to be over aggressive to team-mates or referees." He added, "But (channel it) towards opponents, yes, and always towards the solution, meaning towards winning. We are on that, yes."

Bellingham's fiery reputation is not new. He has faced scrutiny for his interactions with officials, including a suspension in La Liga for swearing at a referee. During last summer's Euros, a gesture he made also stirred controversy. Tuchel himself alluded to instances where Bellingham's "explosion towards referees" and "anger in his game" have been evident.

Despite these concerns, Tuchel made it clear that he values Bellingham's contributions to the team. "I think he brings an edge, which we welcome and which is needed if we want to achieve big things," he said. "He has the fire. I don't want to dim this down. He should play with this kind of fire. That's his strength."

The challenge for Tuchel and his coaching staff will be to help Bellingham harness his passion while mitigating the negative aspects of his on-field behavior. Tuchel believes that if Bellingham can channel his emotions effectively, he "has the something we need and a certain edge that is hard to find."

These comments from Tuchel highlight the fine line between passion and indiscipline in sports. While Bellingham's intensity can be a valuable asset, it is crucial that he learns to control his emotions and avoid actions that could harm his team or tarnish his reputation. As England prepares for future challenges, the focus will be on helping Bellingham refine his approach and become the best version of himself, both on and off the field.