England manager Thomas Tuchel has officially confirmed that star midfielder Jude Bellingham will be withheld from the upcoming international friendly against Japan, prioritising the player's recovery from a recent hamstring issue. The decision comes despite Bellingham's participation in training sessions with the national team this week.
Tuchel's Cautious Approach Ahead of World Cup Selection
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Tuchel elaborated on the rationale behind sidelining the 22-year-old Real Madrid talent. "I think it's too much of a risk," stated the German head coach. "So, the tendency is that he will not play. We have all gained from him being part of it. He was excellent in training, but he was involved as a neutral player. He was involved in not the whole 100 per cent of the training."
Tuchel emphasised the specific nature of Bellingham's muscle injury, underscoring the importance of avoiding a potential re-injury at this critical juncture of the season. "The injury is a muscle, it's a very particular one, and we absolutely don't want the re-injury in this moment of the season," he added.
Bellingham's Recent Fitness Struggles
Bellingham has been gradually working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring problem that sidelined him in early February, an injury that reportedly reduced him to tears. His return to competitive action came only eight days prior as a late substitute for Real Madrid, highlighting the cautious timeline for his recovery.
Initially included in England's expanded 35-man squad for this final camp before the World Cup selection, hopes were high that Bellingham might feature against Japan after missing Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay. However, despite showing positive progress and taking part in Monday's session at Tottenham's training complex, Tuchel has opted to keep him as a spectator at Wembley once again.
Additional Injury Concerns for England Squad
The injury woes extend beyond Bellingham, with other key players also facing fitness assessments. Jordan Henderson, who captained the side against Uruguay, followed an individual training programme indoors, separate from the main group during Monday's session.
Tuchel also addressed the situations of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, noting that while both Arsenal players were eager to represent England, the risk of aggravating their injuries was deemed "way too big" at this stage of the season. Rice and Saka were among five injury withdrawals announced the day after the Uruguay match, alongside their Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke.
This expanded 35-man squad represents Tuchel's final gathering before making his crucial World Cup selection, with the first wave of players joined by 11 established names last Friday. The manager's conservative approach underscores the balancing act between preparation and player welfare as major tournaments loom.
