TUCHEL WON'T RULE OUT EXTENDING CONTRACT

ENGLAND boss Thomas Tuchel said Jude Bellingham proved he “has to be in the squad” after being handed a recall for next week’s World Cup qualifiers.

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Bellingham is back involved for games against Serbia and Albania after the German boldly overlooked the midfielder for last month’s meetup due to a lack of rhythm and a desire to keep faith with those who impressed in September.

It led Tuchel, who also recalled Manchester City’s Phil Foden, to face questions over their relationship and the personality of a player he apologised to after saying in a June interview that his mother finds some of his on-field antics “repulsive”.

Bellingham has done his talking on the pitch for Real Madrid and Tuchel praised the 22-year-old’s reaction to being left out.

“There was a decision to be made. (Jude) accepted the decision, and he did what he does best,” said Tuchel, who also called up uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.