Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterGoing into this summers World Cup, Thomas Tuchels management of Jude Bellingham was one of the biggest pre-tournament talking points.With Tuchel having dropped the Real Madrid man from his October 2025 squad, many believed that the Three Lions boss was challenging one of his star players in an effort to get a reaction, while also sending across a message that he prioritised the collective over star names.This is an opinion held by former England forward Stan Collymore, who believes that any tension between coach and player may ultimately end up benefiting the team, while also comparing their relationship to that of Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListCollymore on Tuchel and BellinghamGoing to major tournaments before, I remember seeing Jude often being the first player out on to the pitch, with fans chanting his name it felt a bit centered around his personal brand, Collymore tells FourFourTwo.Tuchel preaches collective unit and brotherhood. Jordan Henderson, for example, was embraced as a senior figure to foster culture. You may like Have Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham fallen out after England criticism? Peter Crouch on how Jude Bellingham answered his England critics Emile Heskey explains why Real Madrid star WILL inspire Three Lions to glory For Collymore, Tuchels willingness to challenge the hierarchy was likely a deliberate piece of man management.Tuchel dropping or threatening to leave Bellingham out beforehand likely rattled him it was effective psychology, he continues. Judes internal reaction was How dare they leave me out? Watch what I do in Mexico City and across this World Cup.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Bellingham would go on to score seven goals in North America over the summer and was a key part of Englands passage to the semi-finals, but Collymore admits there is a fine balance when it comes to man management of this manner.That type of psychological edge works as long as the tension remains constructive, he adds, as he looks ahead to the kind of role Bellingham should be playing in the future.With Harry Kane gradually stepping aside, Bellingham could be Englands most vital player for the next five years, so Tuchel needs Bellingham just as much as Bellingham needs Tuchel.Tuchel needs to reach a major final on home soil at the next Euros to secure his long-term tenure. As long as that healthy tension exists similar to Sir Alex Ferguson with Roy Keane it pushes high standards.He [Tuchel] demands total buy-in from the squad. Tuchel inherited Gareth Southgates foundation and is pushing it further by provoking players to raise the bar.If everyone involved shares that level of ambition, England can win silverware.TOPICSEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
