England manager Thomas Tuchel has highlighted the strong sense of team cohesion within his squad after Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were introduced as substitutes in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley.
Tuchel brought on Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham and Manchester City forward Foden in the second half, opting to reward the players who had impressed in England’s previous three fixtures. The victory secured England’s place at next year’s World Cup, following a commanding win in Latvia in October and a 5-0 triumph over Serbia in September.
Bellingham had not featured for England since June, while Foden missed the last three international camps. By delaying their introduction until the 64th minute, Tuchel sent a clear message that selection is earned through performance rather than reputation. Both players later combined to assist Eberechi Eze’s 90th-minute goal, complementing Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike.
Tuchel, who took charge in January, believes his approach has fostered unity and purpose within the squad, ensuring there will be no friction if top players do not start at the World Cup. “It is not about building a starting eleven; it is about building a team. They are all big players at their clubs, and naturally disappointed if they don’t play,” he said.
“However, they buy into the idea of putting the team first. Only a strong group that can set aside ego and disappointment can give the coach a healthy selection headache for the next match.”
Addressing speculation about Bellingham being a polarising figure, Tuchel emphasized the midfielder’s value to the squad and confirmed there is no risk of him being excluded. While his World Cup starting role remains uncertain, Tuchel is confident that England’s leaders will maintain the right tone throughout the tournament.
“We have a strong culture with a core of leaders. The squad atmosphere has the right energy, and everyone is eager to play. Camp by camp, we are building this culture, and the players uphold the standards,” Tuchel added.
Buoyed by seven consecutive World Cup qualifying wins without conceding a goal, Tuchel believes that England is well-positioned to make a mark at the tournament, provided the team continues on its current trajectory.
