Jude Bellingham has been criticized in the English media because of his behavior when he was substituted in the World Cup qualifier against Albania. Former England international Ian Wright is actually defending the Real Madrid midfielder.
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England rounded off a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday evening with a 2-0 win over Albania, a result that underlined the team’s consistency and control throughout the group stage.
It should have been a night of celebration in Tirana, with England finishing the qualifiers unbeaten and securing their place at the World Cup without any real scares. For Thomas Tuchel, who has worked to reshape the squad’s mentality and tactical discipline, the performance itself was exactly what he wanted. England created chances, controlled long stretches of the match and avoided unnecessary risks. On the pitch, everything looked calm. Off the pitch, however, one moment grabbed all the headlines.
The talking point came in the final minutes when Jude Bellingham reacted with visible irritation after being substituted six minutes before the end. Tuchel replaced him with Morgan Rogers, a move that appeared to be tactical but was likely influenced by the yellow card Bellingham had just received. The Real Madrid midfielder walked off shaking his head and muttering in frustration, an image that quickly circulated across social media.
Tuchel later made it clear that he was not impressed with the reaction. Still, he refused to escalate the situation, especially on a night when England had officially booked their place at the tournament. He hinted that emotions are normal in competitive players, although he also stressed that discipline and respect for coaching decisions are non-negotiable. Even so, the English media did not let the moment pass quietly.
The Guardian wrote that Bellingham must stop this kind of nonsense if he wants to become an undisputed leader under Tuchel. The newspaper argued that while Bellingham’s talent is extraordinary and widely accepted, he still needs to show the maturity required at the highest international level. The Guardian highlighted that emotional outbursts can damage trust between a star player and a coach, especially in high pressure moments that will inevitably come during a World Cup.
The Daily Mail took a slightly different approach but reached a similar conclusion. According to the paper, Tuchel was right to make it publicly clear that he disliked the reaction. The article suggested that Tuchel has every right to assert authority, especially with players who arrive into camp fresh from big club environments where they are treated like superstars. The Mail even claimed that Tuchel deserves credit for challenging what they described as the growing aura around Bellingham, an aura that can elevate a player but can also create entitlement. In their words, such an aura can poison just as quickly as it can perfume.
Not everyone agreed with this wave of criticism. Ian Wright, former England and Arsenal striker, launched a passionate defence of Bellingham on social media. Wright accused the English media of manufacturing drama simply because England’s preparations for the World Cup have been calm and relatively problem free. He argued that journalists are frustrated that they no longer have direct access to Bellingham and that they can no longer influence his club career, as they have done with so many players in the past. Wright described Bellingham as a blessed young man filled with talent and love, and suggested that the media are intentionally stirring negativity around him because they have nothing else to write about.
The Independent chose a more analytical angle, focusing not on the controversy but on Bellingham’s place in Tuchel’s tactical plans. The newspaper stated that, at present, eight players appear almost guaranteed to start for England at the World Cup as long as they stay fit. Bellingham, surprisingly, is not among them. The paper pointed out that the competition for the number 10 role has intensified, largely because of Morgan Rogers. The Independent noted that Rogers impressed in September and October qualifiers, showing strong pressing ability, high work rate and a remarkable capacity to link the team together. These qualities, according to the paper, fit perfectly into Tuchel’s philosophy and could push the manager to consider Rogers as a real alternative to Bellingham in certain matches.
The broader question now facing England is whether this moment will have any lasting effect. Inside the camp, reports suggest that the situation has already been addressed and that Bellingham understands why the substitution was made. Tuchel wants full commitment but also emotional control, especially from players expected to take on leadership roles. Whether this incident becomes a footnote or the beginning of a larger conversation about responsibility and maturity will likely depend on how Bellingham responds in the coming matches.
What is clear is that England’s perfect qualification campaign has not come without added pressure. With expectations rising ahead of the World Cup, every gesture and reaction will be examined closely. Bellingham remains one of the brightest stars of his generation, but star players often face the strictest scrutiny. How he handles that pressure in the months ahead may determine how central he becomes to Tuchel’s long term England project.
