🔗 Share this article

Thomas Tuchel asserted that he holds "no conflict" with Jude Bellingham following these players were left out the England squad for upcoming matches against Latvia and Wales.

The midfielder did not earn a recall despite recovering from a shoulder issue, whereas the Manchester City and Everton players are also absent despite showing improved form with their clubs.

Tuchel mentioned that the 22-year-old wanted to be included of the selection, having spoken with him on the phone.

"He is a unique talent, and for special players there can often be special rules," the coach said about the Real Madrid star, who has made just one start since returning to full health.

"But we decided to stick with the simple choice of inviting the identical squad.

"Jude always deserves to be here. There is also the situation that he has not quite regained his optimal form yet at Real Madrid - he has not completed a full match.

"He wanted to be selected. We conducted a telephone conversation."

Tuchel made an effort to highlight his positive relationship with Bellingham following Tuchel said sorry to him previously for calling his conduct during a match as "repulsive" in a live interview.

Tuchel explained that he uttered those terms "unintentionally" and promised to be more careful going forward.

Inquired if he had a problem with Bellingham, he said: "None. There is also no problem with Foden or Jack Grealish.

"Phil is back to influencing and shaping games for his club. Grealish is almost to being back to the best version of himself.

"There exists no personal issue."

Bukayo Saka replacing the hurt Noni Madueke is the only change to last month's squad, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jarell Quansah retaining their places after being last-minute call-ups last month due to fitness concerns.

England face Wales in a non-competitive match at Wembley Stadium on this Thursday before a World Cup qualifier in Riga on October 14.

Should the team triumph in the away fixture, they will require a up to two points from their final two matches - against Serbia and Albania in November - to earn a place in next summer's tournament in North America.

Strong Performance Under the Manager

The Three Lions produced their finest performance by some distance under the manager's guidance when they beat Serbia 5-0 away in the Serbian capital last time out.

Tuchel says that showing meant it an straightforward choice to stick with largely the same squad, though "there are absolutely no guarantees" for every squad member regarding being picked.

"The last camp was just three and a half weeks ago and the teamwork and spirit was at its peak. That is the reason we chose to invite the same group to this camp," he commented.

"Foden is in a excellent run of form. Adam Wharton merits to be with us. Jones and Chalobah are getting minutes with their clubs.

"We have players who deserve to be here. Cole Palmer is unfit and is a special player. It will consistently remain like this.

"Is our team a better team with Bellingham? Yes. But I mentioned before, what do we do if he is injured before the tournament? Do we simply give up?"

The Manager's Press Conference Gets Noticed

Thomas Tuchel again gave a box office press briefing.

He, a master of managing his relationship with the press, started with an opening statement to set out his thinking for his selections.

The midfielder is ready to play and wanted to join to the squad, but the coach explained he did not want to alter the squad significantly after a statement five-goal win over Serbia - where the manager said unity was at an all-time high.

However with him not selecting Bellingham, and his repeated comments about team spirit, it is difficult to avoid connect the two - although Tuchel said multiple times how Bellingham is "special" and that there is "no issue" between Tuchel and one of England's key talents.

The England manager has consistently made it evident that he aimed to make the England squad feel like a club team and, by keeping the identical selection after a statement win, he has done that. But the questions will arise once more in the following session if the team perform strongly in these upcoming fixtures.