See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy IAN LADYMAN, FOOTBALL EDITOR Published: 15:00 BST, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 15:19 BST, 12 July 2026
You don't have to be a body language expert to work out what Jude Bellingham made of ITV interviewer Gabriel Clarke's revelation that Thomas Tuchel had not been impressed by England's performance against Norway in Miami. Irritation was written across Bellingham's face.'Whatever,' said the 23-year-old, the adrenaline of the 120 minutes against Norway still cursing.But the truth is that – fascinating as the dynamic is between manager and star player - it doesn't matter. Not now. Not here.Tuchel's relationship with Bellingham remains of interest. The back story is too fresh in the mind for it to have been buried completely beneath an avalanche of World Cup goals.However, what matters right now is that we are seeing the version of Bellingham that this England team needs and that this manager needs. Motivated, driven and intense.So vital is England's No 10 right now – in both meanings of the word – that it is not an exaggeration to say England would not still be in this World Cup without him. Whatever goes on in the background is of absolutely no matter as the goals go in. Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham are not close and perhaps never will be but it's working
