Tuchel Insists No Issue with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, or Jack Grealish

Media Description: Tuchel on Jude Bellingham

England's Head Coach Thomas Tuchel has declared that he has "no conflict" with Phil Foden following the trio did not make the Three Lions team for upcoming matches against Latvia and Wales.

The midfielder has not been recalled despite recovering from a shoulder issue, while the Manchester City and Everton players also miss out although displaying a return to form with their clubs.

Tuchel mentioned that the 22-year-old wanted to be included of the selection, having spoken with him via telephone.

"He is a special player, and for exceptional talents there can always be special rules," Tuchel remarked regarding Bellingham, who's only started once since coming back to full health.

"However we opted to maintain the simple decision of calling up the same group.

"Bellingham consistently merits to be here. There is the factor that he has not fully regained his full rhythm again at his club - he has not completed a full match.

"The player expressed a desire to be selected. We had a phone call."

Tuchel made an effort to highlight his good rapport with the midfielder following Tuchel apologized to him earlier this year for describing his on-pitch behavior as "disgusting" in a live interview.

The German stated that he uttered those terms "without meaning to" and would be more careful in future.

Inquired if he had a problem with the player, Tuchel responded: "None. There is no issue either with Foden or Jack Grealish.

"Phil is returning to influencing and deciding games for Manchester City. Grealish is very close to returning to the best version of himself.

"There exists no personal problem."

Saka taking the place of the injured Noni Madueke is the sole alteration to last month's squad, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jarell Quansah keeping their spots after being late additions previously due to fitness concerns.

England face Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on this Thursday before a World Cup qualifier in Riga on 14 October.

Should England win in Latvia, they will require a maximum of two points from their remaining two qualifiers - against Serbia and Albania in next month - to secure a place in next summer's World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Strong Performance By the Manager

England produced their best display significantly under Tuchel's leadership when they beat the Serbian team 5-0 on the road in the Serbian capital last time out.

The coach stated that showing meant it an easy decision to stick with mostly the same squad, though "there exist no certainties" for any player regarding selection.

"Our previous gathering was just a few weeks ago and the teamwork and spirit was at its peak. That is the reason we decided to invite the same group to this session," he said.

"Phil is in a very good moment. Adam Wharton merits to be with us. Curtis Jones and Chalobah are getting minutes with their teams.

"We have players who deserve to be here. Cole Palmer is unfit and is a special player. It will consistently remain like this.

"Are we a stronger side with Bellingham? Yes. But I told you before, what do we do if Jude is unavailable before the tournament? Do we simply give up?"

The Manager's Media Briefing Gets Noticed

The England manager again delivered a box office news conference.

He, a master of managing his interactions with the media, started with an opening statement to explain his thinking for his selections.

Bellingham is fit and available and wanted to join to camp, but the coach explained he did not want to change the squad too much after a statement 5-0 victory over Serbia - where the manager noted team spirit was extremely strong.

However with Tuchel not including Bellingham, and his repeated remarks about togetherness, it is hard not to connect the two - even though he said repeatedly how Bellingham is "exceptional" and that there is "no problem" between him and one of the national team's star players.

Tuchel has consistently made it clear that he wanted to make the national team seem like a club team and, by retaining the same squad after a statement win, he has done that. But the inquiries will arise once more in the next camp if England perform strongly in these upcoming fixtures.

Donna Saunders
Donna Saunders

A meteorologist and tech enthusiast with a passion for making complex topics accessible and engaging for readers worldwide.