Real Madrid officials are reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Thomas Tuchel's decision to sideline Jude Bellingham during England's recent international friendlies, viewing the move as a missed opportunity for the star midfielder's recovery ahead of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Madrid's Frustration Over 'Pointless' Trip
Spanish sports newspaper Marca has described England's two-match friendly fixture as "pointless," raising more questions than answers for Los Blancos. After Jude Bellingham played only a few minutes for Real Madrid in their recent derby victory against Atletico Madrid following his return from injury, the club expected him to receive valuable playing time to regain his fitness or remain in Spain to focus on his recovery under the supervision of their medical staff.
- The Expectation: Real Madrid anticipated Bellingham would benefit from regular training and match action during the international break to accelerate his recovery.
- The Reality: Coach Tuchel preferred to keep him on the bench, prioritizing caution over match time.
Tuchel Explains Cautious Approach
Tuchel insists that the decision to omit Bellingham from the 1-1 draw with Uruguay and the shock 1-0 defeat to Japan was a calculated one. The German coach prioritized the long-term health of the player over friendly results, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. - afhow
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Tuchel stated:
"I think it's too much of a risk. So, the tendency is that he [Bellingham] will not play. We have all gained from him being part of it. He was excellent in training, but he was involved as a neutral player. He was involved in not the whole 100 per cent of the training. So, it looked very, very good but we're still holding him back, to not take a risk. The injury is a muscle, it's a very particular one, and we absolutely don't want the re-injury in this moment of the season. And him as well, it was very good that he was in camp. He was excellent."
Champions League Clash Looms Large
Madrid believes that Tuchel's refusal to grant Bellingham even a few minutes of game time has "done little to help" his readiness for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Bayern Munich. The club feels that if Bellingham was fit enough to train with the national team, he should have been utilized to help him find his stride before returning to domestic duties for the business end of the season.
Bellingham's Role in the England Setup
Tuchel remains convinced that the trip was beneficial, regardless of Bellingham's lack of match action. However, the friction between the FA and Real Madrid suggests that future call-ups for the midfielder will be scrutinized heavily, especially if there are any lingering fitness concerns. For now, all eyes turn back to the Bernabeu to see if Bellingham can shake off the rust and perform.
