Jude Bellingham recalled to England squad after absence
Jude Bellingham is set to be recalled to the England squad after manager Thomas Tuchel omitted him from last month’s selection, reports BritPanorama.
The 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has not represented the Three Lions since June, prior to undergoing shoulder surgery for a recurring dislocation. With the international break approaching, Tuchel’s squad will prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Tuchel is expected to announce the full squad on Friday, with Bellingham’s name included, according to reports from media outlets. Since making his senior England debut in 2020 at age 17, he has earned 44 caps and scored 6 goals, participating in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Euros.
The relationship between Bellingham and Tuchel has been strained since the German took charge, particularly after Tuchel described Bellingham’s attitude as “repulsive,” a remark he later apologised for. Other notable omissions from the recent squad include Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, who have also faced calls from fans to be included.
Bellingham was sidelined due to his surgery but has since returned to play for Real Madrid, starting in their recent defeat to Liverpool, where he received mixed reactions from fans. After that match, Bellingham indicated uncertainty about his selection for the upcoming qualifiers, stating, “It’s not my call. I think you know whose call it is.”
With England having already secured a place in the 2026 World Cup, Tuchel must evaluate his squad in the lead-up to the tournament, having recently defended his decisions not to include Bellingham and Foden by referencing their performances in earlier camps.
Bellingham’s last match for England was a 3-1 loss to Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham. The team is set to host Serbia on November 13, before facing Albania on November 16. Having been a key player in Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title victory in the 2023/24 season, Bellingham’s return to international duty could bolster the squad’s ambitions moving forward.
As the qualifiers approach, the blend of emerging talents and established stars like Bellingham could redefine England’s approach on the pitch, reigniting discussions about the intricate balance between player selections and team dynamics.
