England national team head coach Thomas Tuchel (52) spoke out regarding the controversy surrounding Jude Bellingham (22, Real Madrid). Although he may appear somewhat rough around the edges, Tuchel evaluates Bellingham as a special player essential to the team.

The British 'BBC' reported on the 12th (Korea time) that "Thomas Tuchel noted that his mother felt 'unpleasant' about Bellingham’s behavior during the match. However, he highly values Bellingham's 'uniqueness.'"

The controversial scene occurred during a recent friendly match between England and Senegal (1-3 loss). When Bellingham's goal was canceled after a VAR decision in the second half of the match on the 11th, he expressed strong discontent. It was Tuchel’s first defeat since taking charge.

According to British 'Talk Sport', Tuchel said in an interview, "I do not want to extinguish his 'fiery' character. However, it needs to be expressed in the right direction."

He explained, "Such determination is essential for achieving the great results we desire. That energy should be directed toward the opponent and the goal. It should not come off as threatening to teammates or excessively aggressive."

He added, "He possesses that 'fire,' and I do not want to suppress it. Of course, sometimes he displays a demeanor that can intimidate even his teammates. Occasionally, he explodes toward the referee or shows anger during matches, but if we can harness such traits well, he can become the 'edge' our team desperately needs."

Tuchel evaluated Bellingham as "very smart, open-minded, and, so far, a player who is very easy to coach."

Regarding claims from some fans that 'it would be better for Bellingham to be absent from the England national team,' Tuchel stated, "I do not see it that way. Rather, we should think about how to integrate Bellingham's best performance into the team."

He remarked, "His attitude can sometimes evoke mixed feelings in observers. Our mother feels the same. Watching Bellingham's rage and determination in front of the TV can be off-putting. However, he's a player who can captivate everyone with his smile," adding that, "Overall, we are very happy to have him. He is truly a special player."

Tuchel also diagnosed that the entire national team has not yet shown enough 'passion and enjoyment.'

England activated a rotation, changing 10 of the starting 11 compared to the match against Andorra, which they won 1-0. Only captain Harry Kane remained in the starting lineup.

Tuchel pointed out, "Gareth Southgate, the former coach, and Lee Cassley (assistant coach) have also tried to blend many talented players into one team. I am making the same effort, but on the international stage, the passion and enjoyment have not been consistently demonstrated yet."

He continued, "Each player needs to take a step back for the team. We have yet to fully establish that balance and team chemistry. Starting in September, the World Cup qualifiers will intensify, and naturally, the competition for spots and team composition will become clearer."

England is scheduled to play back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.

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