England coach Thomas Tuchel expressed satisfaction with Jude Bellingham’s performance in the team’s warm-up match against New Zealand. Despite Bellingham’s strong showing in the 1-0 victory, Tuchel emphasized that the Real Madrid midfielder still needs to work hard to secure a spot in the starting lineup for the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17.
During the game, Bellingham entered the field in the second half, with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers starting ahead of him. Tuchel acknowledged the competition for starting positions, stating that while Bellingham is considered a key player, there are several other contenders vying for a place in the lineup.
Tuchel and Bellingham have had a somewhat strained relationship in the past, with the coach criticizing Bellingham’s attitude following a previous match. Despite this, Tuchel affirmed that Bellingham is currently among the top choices for a starting position in the team. England is set to play their final warm-up match against Costa Rica before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Croatia.
