Now the England boss has a fresh Bellingham problem

After a previously strained relationship with Thomas Tuchel, the Real Madrid star has been key at this World Cup so far

- RICHARD JOLLY SENIOR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT

Thomas Tuchel has a new Jude Bellingham problem. This, at least, is a different one. After his misguided comments last summer that his mother found the Real Madrid player’s behaviour “repulsive”, after omitting Bellingham in October, and after seeming to prefer Morgan Rogers to him, this may be the right kind of problem.

Tuchel has already faced questions in this World Cup over whether England are too reliant on Harry Kane. The evidence of their tournament so far is that they are too dependent on both the captain and Bellingham.

They have scored five of England’s six goals. Bellingham has got the two most important: the strike to restore a lead against Croatia, and the volley to break the deadlock against Panama. For good measure, he assisted Kane’s third of the World Cup five minutes later.

Can’t live with him, can’t live without him? Not quite, but it might seem that Tuchel’s brand of tough love is working.

"I’m not sure if it’s a reaction,‐ said the England manager. "But it is what we want from him. He was very positive from the first day in camp. He buys fully into all the things we demand as a team player, and then he brings his own individual quality to decide football games.