As England prepares for their World Cup qualifier against Latvia, Thomas Tuchel is setting the tone for the squad’s leadership structure.
The Chelsea manager has made it clear that Jude Bellingham’s return to the national team doesn’t automatically guarantee him a spot in the leadership group.
Tuchel recently handed the captain’s armband to Declan Rice during England’s 3-0 victory over Wales, with Harry Kane unavailable.
Alongside Rice, Jordan Henderson and John Stones have been named as key leaders, forming the backbone of Tuchel’s leadership team.
Bellingham had previously been part of a similar setup under Gareth Southgate, but Tuchel has left the Real Madrid midfielder out of his current leadership plans.
The Leadership Quartet
Speaking ahead of the clash in Riga, Tuchel emphasized the importance of his four leaders.
“They behave like captains, they act like captains, and they are driving the standards, mentality, and performance on the pitch,” Tuchel explained.
“If you want to call it a leadership group, they are the leaders at this moment.”
When asked about Bellingham’s role, Tuchel acknowledged the midfielder had been part of the group during previous camps.
However, he stopped short of guaranteeing a return to that leadership cohort if Bellingham rejoins the squad.
“He was, he was when he was in camp with us,” Tuchel said.
“Would he be if he returned? I guess so.”
Marcus Rashford’s Potential Under Scrutiny
Tuchel also turned his attention to Marcus Rashford ahead of England’s crucial match at the Daugava Stadium, where a win will secure the Three Lions’ spot at next summer’s World Cup.
The Barcelona forward, on loan from Manchester United, has impressed in training, but Tuchel is urging him to make the most of his talent.
“I think his ceiling is extremely high—maybe higher than others,” Tuchel said.
“Potential can be a dangerous word in high-level sports. You need to consistently perform at your personal best, and that’s the challenge for him.”
The manager highlighted Rashford’s technical and physical abilities, from finishing with both feet and his head to his explosiveness and speed. But he warned that talent alone isn’t enough.
“He is still young enough at 27 to make the right decisions and maximize what he can achieve,” Tuchel said.
“Otherwise, he might look back in 10 years wondering what could have been.”
What’s Next for England
With the leadership group clearly defined and key players under scrutiny, England heads into the Latvia match with Tuchel’s expectations set high.
Bellingham’s potential recall and Rashford’s form will be major talking points as the team chases qualification for the World Cup.