Jude Bellingham’s recent display of frustration during England’s match against Senegal has garnered attention as Thomas Tuchel, the new head coach of the English national team, addresses the young midfielder’s temperament. That was Bellingham’s subsequent reaction when the referee chalked off his goal for handball. This outburst set off a chain reaction that would prove to be telling of his emotional state on the pitch. In his frustration, the 21-year-old kicked a water cooler and got into it with referee Stephanie Frappart. England captain Harry Kane was quick to intervene to help calm him down.
As Bellingham navigates his role within the national team, Tuchel has called on him to channel this fiery energy into productive performances. He acknowledges that even Bellingham’s penchant for intensity can sometimes be perceived as toxic. He views it as a key weapon that can significantly enhance his game. The trick is to turn that rage into something productive. We can’t show that it ends up with it becoming hostility directed towards fellow competitors or referees.
A Moment of Frustration
Against Senegal, the first moment of true displeasure was when VAR disallowed Bellingham’s goal. His first instinct was to wave his hands towards the referee and yell from the top of his lungs that he was upset. The fourth match official had to step in to restrain him as tempers flared on the field. This incident does not feel like an outlier or a one-off occurrence, but rather a continuation of behavior that’s been consistently evident to Tuchel in Bellingham’s actions.
Tuchel recognizes the duality of Bellingham’s temperament. He noted, “You see sometimes the explosion towards referees and the anger in his game, so if he can channel this in the right way… then for sure he has something that we need.” The coach is adamant about funneling that intensity at your rivals. This narrow focus can lead to the biggest strategic advantage in closely matched competitive games.
Beyond that though, Tuchel thought it was important to highlight how Bellingham’s outbursts of frustration could look to those around him. I recognize that it can generate complicated feelings. He told us how he often experiences this with his own parents, particularly his mum. At the same time, she misses the great, well-rounded, civic-minded, polite guy that he sees. Whether on the pitch or off, this notion of mystery serves to complicate and enrich Bellingham’s rapidly growing character.
The Challenge of Channeling Energy
Tuchel’s aim with Bellingham isn’t to take the heat out of him, it’s to make sure his passion is channelled in the right way. “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.” The coach believes that if Bellingham can learn to manage his emotions constructively, he can become an even more powerful player for England.
Still, Tuchel admitted that Bellingham’s best position was open to debate. “That is a good question that applies to many of our players,” he remarked. Despite this uncertainty, Tuchel praised Bellingham’s recent performances at Real Madrid, where he thrived playing in a false nine role and significantly contributed to the team’s offensive efforts.
Bellingham’s impressive goal-scoring proficiency combined with his aptitude for playmaking shows he can do it all on the pitch. “From outside, I thought for many years that he could be a No 6/No 8, then he had this amazing season where he played like a false nine for Real Madrid,” Tuchel explained. This flexibility is going to be important as England try to cement their game plan going into deeper rounds of future tournaments.
Looking Ahead
As England look ahead to Euro 2024 and beyond, Tuchel’s priority will be to get Bellingham to be the main man. He’s resolute that the key to unlocking Bellingham’s potential will be getting out in front of the emotional reactions to tough decisions. “The edge needs to be channeled towards the opponent, towards our aim, and not to intimidate the teammates or be over-aggressive,” Tuchel stressed.
Despite England’s underwhelming defeat in the quarter-finals to Senegal, Tuchel has reasons to be positive. He showed tremendous pride and excitement in accepting the title of head coach. “It’s an honour to be English head coach,” he stated. “I know what’s coming after a huge tournament in England.”
Bellingham’s career is very much on the up, presenting their own challenges. His passion paired with Tuchel’s composure will be an important dynamic to cultivate moving forward. The young midfielder’s journey will be closely watched as he looks to refine his game and contribute positively to his team’s success.
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