Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel during England training session.
Jude Bellingham is once again the centre of England’s hottest debate — but this time, it’s not about his talent. It’s about respect, relationship, and World Cup readiness.
As the Three Lions prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage draw, former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has compared Bellingham’s relationship with England boss Thomas Tuchel to one of football’s most famous and fiery partnerships: Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Bellingham missed October’s fixtures while recovering from shoulder surgery, and even after returning to action for Real Madrid, Tuchel surprisingly left him out of England’s squad.
He eventually returned in November, and despite England completing qualification flawlessly, talk surfaced again after a 2-0 win over Albania — particularly around Bellingham’s temperament and attitude.
Tuchel has been firm: he wants harmony in camp, and players who disrupt that won’t make the plane to North America.
This led many to question whether England’s brightest star could actually be dropped.
Speaking with GOAL via BetWright Casino, Brown didn’t shy away from the topic.
He said the situation reminds him of the dynamic between Keane and Ferguson — two strong personalities who didn’t always get along, but always respected each other’s roles in winning.
“You still need respect between the manager and the player. We all know how good Jude is… but the respect levels have to be right. At any football club, when two people don’t get on, you find a way to work it out.”
Brown believes the same applies here. Tuchel knows he needs Bellingham. Bellingham knows he’s a key figure. The middle ground is simple: mutual respect.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy dismissed the negative narratives surrounding Bellingham.
He told GOAL:
“If you had 11 Jude Bellinghams, you’d win most tournaments.”
Murphy highlighted the midfielder’s leadership, intensity, passion, and clutch performances as evidence that his so-called “arrogance” is simply the mentality required to dominate at the highest level.
He added:
“We should be building him up, applauding him, and being thankful we have him — not trying to pull him down.”
Despite debates about personality clashes or non-football behaviour, one thing remains certain:
England’s chances of winning the World Cup dramatically increase if Jude Bellingham is on the pitch.
He’s the game-changer, the spark, the one who drags the team forward when things get tough.
And like Keane and Ferguson, even imperfect relationships can win trophies — as long as the respect is right.
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