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Thomas Tuchel once positioned himself on the touchline at Liverpool's stadium, watching in disbelief as his individualistic Paris Saint-Germain players declined to put in the hard yards against Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool. “Guys, what is this?” he reportedly said, but there was no chance of a reaction from individuals with excessive power and not enough regard for the basic concepts of collective play.

Work rate? Defensive duties? Not for us, thanks. Too many wanted to play individually and it reportedly wore him out in the end. The German is a manager who demands structure, a clear style, sacrifice and intensity. At PSG, however, he saw how self-centered play can bring a team down. How was Tuchel imprint his philosophy when he had players who would moan if a teammate glanced the wrong way?

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

This leads to the issue of England, fame and the power of the collective. It was with good sense that the former England captain discussed the failures of the “egotistical losers” of the previous era this week. Domestic conflicts were a problem and the national fixation with big names was a barrier. It is unsurprising that Tuchel, willing to potentially damaging the a few reputations, wants to build a new approach as he plots how to break the team's long wait at next year's World Cup.

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

There has been no backtracking regarding the exclusion of Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and the attacking talent. “The radical statement is that we don’t collect the best individual players,” Tuchel said before the team's friendly victory against Wales. “We collect the guys who have the chemistry and cohesion to be the best team.”

Tuchel's Past Experiences Offer Clues

Tuchel’s career offers pointers about his clear strategic move with the midfielder. Managing star forwards at his disposal did not make his former club in crunch European games, and there were problems at his previous club with some key players. At Chelsea, though, Tuchel’s greatest triumph – claiming the Champions League in 2021 – came with a counterattacking and solid defensive team. The key player during that run was the tireless midfielder. the experienced defender, a model professional, and the selfless, high-pressing Mason Mount were crucial as well.

The London club were defiant, unflinching. With the national side, Tuchel’s mission is to build a brotherhood. He shrugged off inquiries about whether leaving out his top attacking players before the Wales game was a gamble unwise. He backed his decisions and was vindicated when England destroyed Craig Bellamy’s side with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and the winger during a brutal first half.

The Coach's Squad Taking Shape

We are starting to see his vision develop. Dynamic defenders overlap, there is speed on the wings – a crucial element if the captain is to thrive at the World Cup – and stability is ensured by the midfielder's emerging midfield partnership with the defensive anchor. “Progress is being made,” Tuchel commented after the victory. “In Serbia it looked like club football and today it seemed like club football.”

Setting aside whether the team will be able to replicate the intensity of a English 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 humble player, a physical player … a highly skilled player,” was Tuchel’s verdict on the youngster. Better than the established star, though? Certainly not. Nobody doubts Bellingham’s ability. The young midfielder is among the top in the game. How do you leave out a player who, with disaster fast approaching, can save his team in a tournament with a last-minute overhead kick?

The Explanation Lies in the Wider Picture

Tuchel's reasoning rests in considering the wider picture; in remembering that Bellingham was frequently playing his individual style at Euro 2024. Tuchel calls him a unique player. But while he has withdrawn the infamous “unacceptable” remark, he has not taken back what he said about the player needing to channel his aggression towards his rivals and not to pressuring colleagues or officials. This situation seems coincidental. Citing his recent returning from injury is convenient. Tuchel has spoken about players needing to accept “the hierarchy within the team”. After the recent game he stated the opportunity remains for “elite, top characters” to return.

Any return will be under his conditions.

Bellingham can come back but if he does there will be no exceptions. It is a fascinating scenario. The smart money still favor him going to the World Cup but Tuchel has established a situation in which he stays at home. The challenge is balancing the pros and cons. Bellingham would undoubtedly be an asset if he embraces Tuchel’s tactical demands and does not try to win the tournament on his own.

It Won't Be the Bellingham Team

But this is not going to be the Jude-centric squad. In fact this is still the Kane team. The captain reports for duty every time, fulfils his obligations without fuss and sets the standard. Vincent Kompany, the forward's coach at his club, talks about the striker's work ethic off the ball. The goals are inevitable; the effort without the ball sets the standard for teammates to follow.

This is what Tuchel craves. He would not be drawn into speculating whether he could possibly bench Bellingham, Foden and Cole Palmer on the bench in a major match. He shifted the focus on to the individuals who are delivering for him currently. England have performed strongly without Bellingham in back-to-back fixtures. Tuchel is building a squad, with the newcomer as an modern equivalent of Mount. His time at previous clubs taught him what happens when it is every man for himself.