England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged his players to embrace Jude Bellingham’s intensity and fiery on-field personality, insisting that the Real Madrid star’s competitive edge can drive the team forward.

Bellingham has been recalled to the England squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers — at home to Serbia and away against Albania — after being left out of last month’s 5–0 win over Latvia, which secured England’s place at next year’s World Cup in North America. His omission had sparked rumours of tension between the player and the manager.

However, Tuchel moved quickly to dismiss any talk of a rift during Friday’s press conference.

“There is no problem with him, there is no problem with his character,” Tuchel said. “Jude just has the edge — and that’s a very good thing, because you need that edge to reach the level he’s at.”

Tuchel added that England’s staff and players must create an environment that allows Bellingham’s competitive spirit to thrive.

“We all need to help him and encourage him,” he explained. “The message is simple: keep that fire going, accelerate it. We’re building something here, and we’re super excited that he’s back. Now it’s about contributing to it.”

Bellingham’s recall wasn’t the only notable change to the squad. Phil Foden also returns, with Tuchel revealing plans to use the Manchester City forward in a more central role — playing behind Harry Kane rather than on the wing, where he is typically deployed for England.

Foden has impressed in that position for his club, scoring twice in City’s 4–1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday while operating just behind Erling Haaland.

“Phil will be in the number 9–10 area, more central,” Tuchel said. “I’ve had this idea for a long time — I think it suits him best. His second goal against Dortmund was classic Foden: arriving in the right pocket, linking play, and supporting the striker. That’s exactly what I want to see from him with England.”