Bellingham divides England » The press is “all in” on the Real Madrid midfielder, and Thomas Tuchel is helping it
Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Monday, November 17, 2025, 11:51 p.m. / Updated Monday, November 17, 2025, 11:53 p.m.
Jude Bellingham (22) seems to be enemy number 1 of the English press at the moment. After the victory with Albaniathe main topic of discussion was the Real Madrid midfielder, named man of the match in the 2-0 success.
Tirana starter Jude Bellingham was named the best player of the match solved by Harry Kane. After Kane's second goal, which came in the 82nd minute, Bellingham was replaced by Morgan Rogers.
The Real Madrid midfielder celebrated with his teammates before leaving the pitch, applauding the crowd as he made his way to the bench. He didn't seem pleased that he had to go out, but he did not gesture in any way and even greeted Rashford, his replacement, Morgan Rogersrespectively on the coach.
Although Bellingham didn't make a case for that substitution, the postgame press conference was basically about him. The first four questions addressed to coach Thomas Tuchel focused on the English midfielder.
Bellingham, welcoming Rogers to the change
Bellingham divides England » The press is “all in” against the midfielder, and Thomas Tuchel helps her: “I saw that he was not happy”
“When he was going to come out… Most of the players went to the corner to celebrate with Harry Kane, but he was gesticulating with his arms, he was clearly upset that he was going to be changed. From a distance it doesn't look like he shares the team spirit”, said one of the reporters, even if the images captured on the broadcast do not support his words, at least in terms of gestures.
“Did he protest? It's a decision he has to accept. His friend was waiting on the sidelines [să intre]must accept the decision, respect it and move on,” replied the England coach, giving credence to the interlocutor.
Earlier, to another similar question, the German coach had said:
“I didn't see, I have to re-watch the phase. I saw he wasn't happy. I don't want to make a stallion mosquito, players like Jude are so competitive and they will never take it, but my word remains. There has to be commitment and mutual respect. If someone is waiting on the sidelines, we won't change our decision just because someone waves“.
Ian Wright: 'I can't influence his club career like they did with so many before him'
Former international Ian Wright, 33 games and 9 goals for England, jumped into Bellingham's defence.
In a clip from Tuchel's conference, published by BBC Sport, Wright wrote, referring to the English reporters, that “they need to create such controversy because they have nothing else to talk about until the World Cup, so it will be like that until then”.
“[Ei] i hate that i don't touch it at all. I hate that I can't influence his club career like they did with so many before him. He is a young man blessed with talent and love in abundance,” added the former Arsenal forward.
