05/10/2025

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JUDE BELLINGHAM

JACK GREALISH

PHIL FODEN

Lions stick with winning formula Tuchel denies rift with Bellingham, explains Foden and Grealish omissions from England squad

his time at the Club World Cup. Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani this week said the impact of kickoff times had been a major lesson for the organis ers, meaning fixtures could be put back to combat the heat next year. “I know the fans will not like it but for us it’s better if we play later, of course,” the England boss said. “For everyone it’s better to play later.” Tuchel said “if you do a run at 2pm in Charlotte then you know” when asked why it would be better to move World Cup kickoff times. “We have put the players first and pro tect the game, even if it means those back home face some late nights.” Asked if the timing of games could be the difference between winning and los ing matches, he said: “Well, then straight away everyone will make the point the others also play in the heat… it would be a disadvantage for us, for sure. “Would we adapt to it, if we have to? Yes. Would we use it as an excuse? No. “Would we still prefer to play in the evening, when shade is on the pitch? Yes, for sure.” – The Independent

it, we decided to go with the same squad.” Tuchel apologised earlier this year over describing Bellingham’s on-field behaviour as “repulsive”, a comment which he later put down to a poor choice of words in his second language. Asked whether he has any personal issues with Bellingham, Tuchel responded: “No. There is also no problem between me and Phil Foden, there is no problem between me and Jack Grealish. “Very special players. Phil is back to influencing games, deciding games for Manchester City. “Jack is very close to (being) the best version of himself, a very special player, a very special character. “There is no problem at all, there is no personal problem.” Speaking about next year’s World Cup, Tuchel said it would be “better if we play later” as the England boss welcomed the idea of kickoff times being moved back to deal with the intense heat. The United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting a tournament that will be played amid challenging conditions, which Tuchel witnessed firsthand during

“It’s only three weeks now since the last camp and the last win (against Serbia), the last performance. So the question was, why not bring the same group in?” Tuchel explained. “Because they set the standards and now it is about creating habits out of it.” Tuchel added: “Jude is a very special player, and for special players there can always be special rules. I get this. “But for this camp we decided that we stick with our straightforward decision to invite the same team. That applies also then for Jude, he deserves always to be in camp. “I think there is an extra layer on top, the situation that he has not (fully gath ered) rhythm yet at Real Madrid. “He is back in the team. He hasn’t fin ished one full match until now, he has only started one match, so he is in the period where he gets his rhythm, where he gets back to full strength. But the deci sion stayed for this camp. “He wanted to be called up, we had a phone call, there is no issue from that side. He just lacks rhythm, he hasn’t fin ished one complete match. And on top of

BY LAWRENCE OSTLERE & SIMON PEACH

THOMAS TUCHEL has insisted he has no personal problem with Jude Bellingham and said he wanted to retain the same squad that thrashed Serbia 5-0 in England’s last match, as he explained why several big names were missing from the group. England revealed the latest squad for October’s internationals yesterday, with the selection largely unchanged from the wins over Andorra and Serbia in last month’s World Cup qualifying. Bukayo Saka has returned to replace his injured Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke in the most notable change. Jude Bellingham has returned to action with Real Madrid after injury and was named England’s player of the 2024/25 season this week, while Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have both found form in the Premier League, but none of the trio have been selected. Tuchel’s side play Wales in a friendly at Wembley next Thursday before travel ling to Latvia to continue their qualifying campaign.

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