EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Jude Bellingham's final interaction with Thomas Tuchel after England's 3-0 win over Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday was to receive a slap on the backside from his coach in recognition of another influential display.It isn't long ago since it seemed like Tuchel wanted to kick him there. Bellingham's transformation from "repulsive" to resplendent is one of this England manager's biggest success stories and the Real Madrid star has arguably taken his game to another level across these last four matches.Bellingham was once the problem child; the talent with the temperament that England struggled to tame. Tuchel's comment in June 2025 that there were elements of Bellingham's behavior which his mother found "a bit repulsive" felt like a shot across the bow of a player who could, quite literally, make or break Tuchel's tenure.- England Nations League takeaways: Kane history, Tuchel steadies ship- Will Real Madrid title hopes be over before Clsico? Mourinho has lots to do- 2030 World Cup Power Rankings: Who are top 15 nations in men's game?The sight of Bellingham and Tuchel operated in tandem is among the greatest signs of hope that England can end what will stretch to 62 years of hurt and win the 2028 UEFA European Championship as tournament co-hosts.The buy-in is real. Cynics would point to the combustible nature of both characters, but each are driven by a focus to win.Bellingham is a settled figure in camp these days. It is a far cry from Euro 2024, when Gareth Southgate made Bellingham part of his leadership group for that tournament despite not yet establishing himself properly on the international stage.Sources have told ESPN that there were tense moments within the squad throughout that tournament in Germany. That is something Bellingham effectively confirmed in June this year when he suggested "we got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch, I don't feel like the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons." Bellingham has also previously claimed he was made a "scapegoat" for England's underwhelming performances, even though they battled their way to the final where they lost 2-1 to Spain.It was during last year's October camp when Tuchel dropped Bellingham from the squad altogether. Citing a lack of game time at Real Madrid following shoulder surgery, Tuchel knew the storm he was creating in leaving out one of England's most exhilarating talents in a generation.During this period, he talked a lot about "team spirit" being the "key factor" and a "brotherhood" being formed which was pivotal to the team's success. Joining the dots wasn't a difficult exercise; Bellingham and right back Trent Alexander-Arnold watched on from the sidelines. Alexander-Arnold's own recall for this most recent international break could put him on the same upward trajectory if he follows the way in which Bellingham responded.Just as Tuchel has been deliberately conservative rather than effusive in his praise for Alexander-Arnold this month, it is perhaps easy to forget Bellingham went into the World Cup with a genuine debate surrounding his place in the starting XI. Morgan Rogers had impressed as England's No. 10 with his work rate off the ball often praised by Tuchel. And yet, Bellingham's response was not only to force his way into the team but he became the first England men's player to score seven goals at a major tournament.Sources have suggested his relationship with Harry Kane was little more than cordial earlier in their careers, but the pair's mutual respect blossomed at this summer's World Cup to the point Bellingham on Tuesday declared Kane to be England's "greatest-ever player." Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane believes that tag could be Bellingham's; former England captain Gary Lineker voiced the same opinion in a different conversation.He really was that in good in England's 7-0 mauling of Croatia in Rijeka. That staggering result against the 13th-best nation in world football -- who, three days later, were only beaten 2-1 by world champions Spain after taking the lead before having a man sent off and conceding an 88th-minute winner -- represents the best example so far of Tuchel's post-World Cup tweaks."The structure [now in the Nations League] allows Jude to play more from his intuition and less from being locked down or caged in a certain position," Tuchel's assistant Anthony Barry said this week. "It allows him to roam and operate in spaces in which he thinks he can be dangerous and so far it's brought out the best in him."It is a challenge because Jude can play in any of those positions comfortably and on a high level. So the challenge is to give him a space where he can do it all at once inside of one game. Right now, in a short sample, it seems like we found a solution to unlock all of the potential that Jude has. But we have to continue."The full backs pushing on with wingers drifting infield and Bellingham given license to roam was a combination which utterly overwhelmed Croatia. The counter-press was also relentless with Bellingham not shy of taking on that workload either. The quartet of Bellingham, Kane, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon have cemented themselves as England's front four, barring injury, for Euro 2028 already.And Bellingham is enjoying himself again. In a further nod to his willing attitude, he finished the games against Czechia and Croatia away as captain. ESPN asked Tuchel last week if this was a sign he could one day captain his country full-time."If you are the captain at the end of these matches you can for sure be the permanent captain," said Tuchel. "I think he loves to be with us at the moment, that's what I feel."Little signs behind the scenes suggest he is right. Stadium staff at Prague's Fortuna Arena waited in their dozens for Bellingham to pose for pictures and he took a selfie with every single one as England's security watched on.Attention on the 23-year-old is unrelenting. Two teenagers waited outside Stadion HNK in Rijeka with a sign telling Bellingham they loved him. Inside, the 6,200 schoolchildren invited to attend greeted him with the biggest cheer when England's players emerged onto the field one by one.For a player so erudite and intelligent, Bellingham rarely engages with elements of the media he is said to distrust. At the moment, any coverage of him could only be a feel-good story.Three wins in the autumn are not conclusive of anything, but the post-World Cup changes are designed to inject greater freedom and fluidity so that when moments of acute pressure come -- as in the second half of their semifinal defeat to Argentina this summer -- they stay on the front foot and not collapse back towards their own goal. Bellingham is at the epicenter of England's renewed hunger to go again and finally win a major tournament.
