Inside The Tension Brewing in the England Camp: “It’s Not About You Anymore”

Inside The Tension Brewing in the England Camp: “It’s Not About You Anymore”

If Thomas Tuchel has made anything clear since taking the England job, it’s that names don’t win tournaments, teams do.

In the build-up to the October 2025 international break, England’s manager doubled down on his “team-first” identity and, in the process, found himself at odds with Jude Bellingham, one the country’s biggest stars.

Tuchel’s message was blunt: “We don’t collect the most talented players, we build a team.” It was a line that echoed through the camp and was reflected in his squad selection for the games against Wales and Latvia.

Thomas Tuchel stands by dropping Jude Bellingham from the latest England Squad. pic.twitter.com/cgx4lREDwF

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 8, 2025

The German has been in his post for less than a year and has spent most of it reshaping England’s mindset. His focus has been on turning a squad of superstars into a single, cohesive unit. Something that, admittedly, Gareth Southgate had done well during his tenure.

He’s spoken openly about wanting an “underdog mentality” despite England’s impressive recent form, but we all know that England always look like world beaters in qualifying, and seldom when it matters most.

After all, if you haven't won any major silverware since 1966, an underdog mentality probably wouldn't go amiss.

Bellingham, Standards, and Selection Shockwaves

So where does Jude Bellingham fit into this new order? That’s what is causing the headlines at the moment.

The Real Madrid midfielder’s omission from Tuchel’s latest England squad came as a shock to fans and pundits alike. It wasn’t officially framed as punishment, but the message was clear in that nobody is guaranteed a place, and the team comes first.

Tuchel has publicly insisted there’s “no problem” with Bellingham, but he’s also made it clear that no one is untouchable. “The best players do not always make the best team,” he said earlier this week. That’s a statement that might sting when you’re one of the best players on the planet.

There’s also some history between the two. Back in August, Tuchel apologised after describing aspects of Bellingham’s on-pitch behaviour as “repulsive” during a wider conversation about leadership standards. He quickly walked the comment back, but the message behind it remained, he expects total focus and accountability from everyone.

Now, by leaving Bellingham out and rewarding the group that impressed in the last camp, Tuchel has turned those words into action. It’s a clear warning to everyone in the squad that reputation won’t protect you. Fit the system, buy into the plan, or sit it out.

Tuchel’s logic is consistent. He’s been saying for months that England shouldn’t see themselves as favourites. He’s repeatedly name-checked Brazil, Argentina, Spain and France as the standard to match.

His aim is to build a side that “cares for each other,” that wins through unity rather than ego. Whether you agree with his methods or not, there’s no mistaking the intent.

Thomas Tuchel has named his latest England squad 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

There's no place for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Adam Wharton or Jack Grealish ❌ pic.twitter.com/ZksjPT2O7O

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 3, 2025

Lessons from the "Golden Generation"

We’ve seen this story before. The so-called “Golden Generation” of the early 2000s with Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, Rooney, and Scholes, was bursting with world-class talent but never quite clicked as a team.

Despite the talent, England crashed out in the quarter-finals of three straight tournaments and even missed out on EURO 2008 altogether.

The post-mortem was brutal - club rivalries, cliques, and too many big names trying to fit into the same midfield. Tuchel has mentioned those years as a lesson. He doesn’t want history repeating itself. His hardline stance on discipline and togetherness is a direct response to what went wrong back then.

There’s also the practical side. With Harry Kane managing fitness issues this autumn and qualification still not completely secured, Tuchel wants a system that works regardless of who’s available.

He’s said England need to “earn it step by step,” not assume they’re contenders because of the names on the team sheet.

So… Is the Tension a Problem or a Plan?

Maybe it’s a bit of both. Tension, when managed well, can sharpen the players killer instincts, but it is a fine balance that Tuchel has to strike right.

If players like Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish, among others on the periphery respond in the way he intends, then England will have a squad hungry for success in North America next year.

🚨 The squad depth that England have heading into the 2026 World Cup. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔝

Seriously, what is stopping Thomas Tuchel from winning that trophy next summer? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/S2xY6QhSEJ

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 6, 2025

If not, no one can say that he didn't give them a fair crack at it.

Either way, England’s direction is now crystal clear. It’s less about who you are, more about how you fit. The tension might be real, but so is the purpose behind it.