Tuchel Says Bellingham is Better with a Bit of Rage

England manager Thomas Tuchel has said Jude Bellingham is at his best when he plays with “a bit of rage” as the team prepares for Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with the Czech Republic.

Bellingham was one of England’s standout performers despite their 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, creating five chances and assisting Anthony Gordon’s equaliser. He also won the penalty that Harry Kane missed in the second half.

The Real Madrid midfielder was involved in a heated exchange with Spain defender and club-mate Marc Cucurella during the match, but Tuchel said such confrontations could help bring out the best in Bellingham.

“He likes that, he gets better if that happens,” Tuchel said. “It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going.”

Tuchel added that Bellingham treats international matches differently despite playing alongside several Spain players at club level.

“He wants to win. He doesn’t know any teammates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes,” the England manager said.

The 23-year-old was named England’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season last week and is expected to be involved again when England travel to Prague.

However, Tuchel acknowledged concerns about Bellingham’s workload during England’s four-match Nations League schedule, which will see the team play four games in 11 days.

“I would love to have him four times on the pitch,” Tuchel said, adding that the medical team would monitor the midfielder and that England would not put him at risk.

England will face the Czech Republic on Tuesday, before travelling to Croatia on Saturday and then hosting the Czech Republic again on October 6.

Tuchel said he wanted his team to respond positively to the defeat by Spain and approach the remaining matches with an attacking mindset.

“We need to be proactive and go for it,” he said. “There is no room for managing or an economic style.”