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Thomas Tuchel once stood on the sideline at Liverpool's stadium, watching in astonishment as his self-indulgent Paris Saint-Germain players declined to commit to the necessary work against a determined Liverpool side. “Guys, what is this?” he reportedly remarked, but there was no chance of a reaction from players with too much power and not enough regard for the fundamentals of teamwork.

Intensity? Tracking back? Not their concern, thanks. Too many preferred to play individually and it ultimately wore him out in the end. Tuchel is a coach who demands discipline, a clear style, selflessness and intensity. At Paris Saint-Germain, though, he saw how individualism can tear a dressing room down. How was Tuchel make his mark when he had players who would moan if a teammate looked at them the wrong way?

England's Star Power Culture and the Power of the Team

This leads to the issue of England, celebrity and the power of the collective. It was with perfect timing that the former England captain analysed the failures of the “selfish underachievers” of the golden generation this week. Domestic conflicts were a problem and the national fixation with star names was a hindrance. It is unsurprising that Tuchel, willing to potentially bruising the a few reputations, wants to create something different as he plans how to end England men’s trophy drought at next summer’s World Cup.

“We are building the best team” has been a common theme from Tuchel recently.

There has been no backtracking over the exclusion of the star midfielder, the creative winger and Phil Foden. “Our clear message is that we aren't just gathering the best individual players,” Tuchel stated before England’s win against their rivals. “We select the players who have the chemistry and cohesion to be the best team.”

The Manager's Previous Situations Offer Pointers

His managerial history gives pointers about his clear power play with the midfielder. Managing star forwards at his command did not make his former club in crunch Champions League games, and there were issues at his previous club with some influential figures. At Chelsea, though, Tuchel’s biggest success – claiming the European Cup in 2021 – came with a fast-breaking and defensively brilliant team. The key player during that campaign was N’Golo Kanté. the experienced defender, a exemplary leader, and the team-oriented, high-pressing young midfielder were crucial as well.

The London club were defiant, determined. With the national side, Tuchel’s mission is to build a brotherhood. He dismissed questions about whether leaving out his best creative players before the Wales game was a gamble too far. He backed his decisions and was rewarded when England overwhelmed their opponents with goals from Morgan Rogers, the striker and the winger during a dominant first half.

Tuchel's England Emerging

We are starting to see Tuchel’s England take shape. Attacking defenders push forward, there is pace on the flanks – a key factor if Harry Kane is to excel at the tournament – and stability is provided by Elliot Anderson’s growing midfield partnership with the defensive anchor. “Progress is being made,” Tuchel said after the 3-0 win. “In Serbia it looked like domestic play and in this game it seemed like club football.”

Setting aside whether England will be able to match the physicality of a Premier League style in the heat expected at many of the locations in the US, Mexico and Canada, it is worth considering the contribution of Rogers in the position typically held by the excluded star. “A modest individual, a physical player … a highly skilled player,” was Tuchel’s verdict on the youngster. Better than the established star, though? Certainly not. Everyone acknowledges his skill. The young midfielder is among the top in the world. How can anyone leave out a player who, with defeat fast approaching, can save his team in a competition with a late overhead kick?

The Answer Lies in the Wider Picture

The answer lies in considering the wider picture; in recalling that Bellingham was often operating his own game at the recent tournament. Tuchel describes him a unique player. But while he has retracted the infamous “unacceptable” comment, he has stood by what he said about the player having to direct his aggression towards his opponents and not to intimidating colleagues or referees. None of this seems coincidental. Citing his recent returning from shoulder surgery is convenient. Tuchel has talked about players having to accept “the hierarchy within the team”. After the Wales game he said the opportunity remains for “top quality, top characters” to rejoin.

A comeback will be under his conditions.

Bellingham can return but if he does there will be no exceptions. It is a fascinating situation. The smart money still favor Bellingham going to the tournament but Tuchel has created a world in which he stays at home. The challenge is weighing the advantages and disadvantages. He would undoubtedly be an advantage if he embraces the manager's system and does not try to win the tournament on his own.

It Won't Be the Bellingham Team

However this is not intended as the Bellingham team. If anything this is still the Harry Kane-led side. Kane arrives every time, fulfils his media duties without fuss and leads by example. Vincent Kompany, the forward's coach at Bayern, praises the striker's work ethic defensively. His scoring are expected; the commitment out of possession sets the standard for others to emulate.

That is what Tuchel craves. He would not be drawn into speculating whether he could possibly bench Bellingham, Foden and Cole Palmer on the sidelines in a major match. He threw the attention on to the individuals who are performing for him now. England have played well without him in successive fixtures. Tuchel is fashioning a squad, with the newcomer as an updated version of his former player. His experiences at Bayern and PSG taught him what occurs when it is each player for themselves.