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The England manager once stood on the touchline at Anfield, observing in disbelief as his self-indulgent Paris Saint-Germain players declined to put in the necessary work against a determined Liverpool side. “Guys, what is this?” he allegedly remarked, but there was never going to be a reaction from players with excessive power and not enough regard for the fundamentals of collective play.

Intensity? Defensive duties? Not for us, apparently. Several preferred to play individually and it reportedly wore him out in the end. Tuchel is a manager who demands structure, identity, sacrifice and energy. At PSG, however, he saw how self-centered play can bring a team down. How could Tuchel imprint his philosophy when he had players who would moan if a colleague glanced the wrong way?

The Three Lions' Star Power Culture and the Power of the Collective

And so to the issue of the national team, celebrity and the strength of the group. It was with perfect timing that the former England captain analysed the failures of the “egotistical losers” of the previous era this week. Club rivalries were a hindrance and the English obsession with big names was a barrier. It is unsurprising that Tuchel, willing to risk damaging the a few reputations, aims to create a new approach as he plots how to break the team's trophy drought at next summer’s World Cup.

“We are building the strongest unit” has been a common theme from Tuchel over the past week.

He has shown no backtracking over the exclusion of the star midfielder, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden. “Our clear message is that we aren't just gathering the most talented players,” Tuchel stated before the team's win against Wales. “We collect the guys who have the glue and unity to be the best team.”

The Manager's Past Situations Provide Pointers

Tuchel’s career gives pointers about his clear power play with the midfielder. Having Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani at his disposal did not make PSG in crunch European games, and there were issues at his previous club with certain influential figures. At Chelsea, however, Tuchel’s biggest success – claiming the European Cup in 2021 – was achieved with a counterattacking and defensively brilliant team. The standout performer during that run was the tireless midfielder. Thiago Silva, a model professional, and the team-oriented, high-pressing Mason Mount were also vital.

Chelsea were defiant, determined. With the national side, Tuchel’s goal is to build a tight-knit group. He dismissed questions about whether leaving out his top attacking players before the Wales game was a gamble too far. He backed his calls and was vindicated when England destroyed their opponents with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka during a dominant opening period.

The Coach's Squad Emerging

We are starting to see Tuchel’s England develop. Attacking defenders overlap, there is speed on the flanks – a crucial element if Harry Kane is to thrive at the World Cup – and stability is provided by Elliot Anderson’s growing connection with Declan Rice. “Progress is being made,” Tuchel said after the victory. “In Serbia it appeared like domestic play and today it seemed like a league match.”

Leaving aside whether the team will be able to replicate the intensity of a English style in the conditions expected at many of the locations in the US, Mexico and Canada, it is worth considering the role of Rogers in the role typically occupied by Bellingham. “A modest individual, a strong presence … a highly skilled player,” was Tuchel’s verdict on the youngster. Better than the established star, however? Certainly not. Everyone acknowledges Bellingham’s ability. The young midfielder is among the top in the world. How do you leave out a player who, with disaster looming, can keep his team in a tournament with a last-minute overhead kick?

The Explanation Is Found in the Bigger Picture

The answer rests in considering the wider picture; in remembering that he was often playing his individual style at the recent tournament. Tuchel calls him a special talent. But while he has retracted the controversial “repulsive” remark, he has not taken back what he said about Bellingham needing to direct his edge towards his rivals and not to intimidating colleagues or referees. None of this feels accidental. Citing Bellingham recent returning from shoulder surgery is expedient. Tuchel has spoken about players having to accept “the structure within the team”. After the Wales game he stated the door is open for “top quality, top characters” to rejoin.

A comeback will be on his terms.

The midfielder can return but if he does so there will be no special treatment. It is a fascinating situation. The smart money still favor him 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 asset if he accepts the manager's system and avoids trying to win the tournament on his own.

It Won't Be the One-Man Team

But this is not going to be the Bellingham team. If anything this is remains the Kane team. The captain reports for duty every time, fulfils his media duties without complaint and sets the standard. His club manager, the forward's coach at Bayern, talks about the striker's work ethic off the ball. His scoring are expected; the effort out of possession establishes the benchmark for teammates to emulate.

This is what the manager craves. He would not be drawn into imagining whether he could possibly leave Bellingham, Foden and Cole Palmer on the bench in a major match. He threw the attention on to the players who are performing for him now. The team have performed strongly without him in successive fixtures. Tuchel is fashioning a squad, with Rogers as an updated version of Mount. His experiences at Bayern and PSG taught him what occurs when it is each player for themselves.