After England’s defeat of Latvia successfully completed the new head coach’s first World Cup qualifying double-header, Thomas Tuchel admitted he had removed Jude Bellingham to avoid a red card.
Goals by Harry Kane, Reece James, and Eberechi Eze – for the latter two, their first at England senior level – secured victory in a game during which Bellingham, booked in the first half, launched a second-half challenge on the Latvia defender Raivis Jurkovskis that looked worthy of a yellow.
“I thought the first one was a bit harsh,” Tuchel said. “The second one was possible. It would have turned the game upside down so we decided to take him out straight away. You could see the huge effort Jude put in the first game and he didn’t seem so fresh. I didn’t want to take the risk so took him off.”
If England’s performance against an opponent attempting a brick-wall defence was not always easy on the eye, Tuchel was otherwise happy enough following his second win to follow the defeat of Albania on Friday.
“The organisation of the camp was top,” the head coach said. “The players make the difference, they reminded me instantly why I was excited to take the job. You need these type of matches and the tension that not everything falls into place in the first minute.”
James scored a first-half free‑kick in his first England start since September 2022 and came in for high praise from his former Chelsea manager. “I know Reecey [James] and the quality the boy has is amazing,” said Tuchel, who added that he had been in “close contact” with a player he declared was of the “highest level”, and “in a good space mentally”.
Tuchel said: “He has every right to be proud and happy with his performance. He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp, in shape and the quality there can be no doubt.”
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James said: “I have had a frustrating two years. I’m so happy to be called up by my country again. Thomas Tuchel’s ideas are clear. We have one objective and that starts this week right up until the World Cup.”
On Friday Tuchel had asked for more from his wingers; here he said he was happy with Marcus Rashford’s efforts against Latvia, particularly in the first half. “Marcus again showed the hunger and desire to go again and again. The most important thing was he showed the hunger and confidence in his ability.”
“We had to be patient,” said Kane, who scored England’s second goal. “Thomas Tuchel is fantastic, he has settled in straight away. He is a pleasure to work for, he has brought the passion.”
Source: theguardian.com
