World Cup 2026: Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel's ‘battle of wills’ is healthy for England

Passionate, driven, uncompromising. Those are terms that can be equally applied to both Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham. <p>Both are supremely self-confident, honest and opinionated, and they expect the highest of standards from everyone around them. Both are winners, and want nothing more than for England to win the World Cup.</p><p>But here's the rub - each has a different idea about how Jude Bellingham should best be utilised for England to try to achieve that goal. While the Real Madrid star has traditionally wanted a much freer role to influence the game, the head coach has told him to work within the team system he has devised.</p><widget id="3"></widget><p>Tuchel's deliberate tactic has been to use more stick than carrot with his talisman, to try to mould him into an ever-better player. His praise has always been measured, monitored and carefully targeted.