England Squad Shake-Up: Why Tuchel Benched Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish in 2025
The air crackles with anticipation whenever the England squad is announced. It’s a national obsession, a puzzle that every fan, pundit, and pub-goer tries to solve before the official reveal. But this time, the list of names left off the roster is screaming louder than the ones on it. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish—three of the brightest stars in the English football galaxy—are on the outside looking in for the upcoming matches against Wales and Latvia.
It’s a gutsy call from manager Thomas Tuchel, one that sends ripples through the very foundation of the Three Lions’ setup. This isn’t just about squad rotation; it’s a statement. A declaration that past glories and big-money transfers don’t guarantee you a seat at the table. For Tuchel, it’s about the here and now. It’s about rhythm, spirit, and the intangible chemistry that turns a group of talented individuals into a force of nature.
The decision has ignited a firestorm of debate. How can you leave out players of this caliber? Is it discipline? A tactical masterstroke? Or a gamble that could spectacularly backfire? One thing is certain: Thomas Tuchel is playing chess while others are playing checkers, and England’s immediate future hangs on his next move.
What’s the Latest on Jude Bellingham’s England Status?
Let’s talk about Jude Bellingham. The kid is a phenomenon, a force of nature who plays with the swagger of a seasoned veteran and the heart of a lion. His move to Real Madrid was the stuff of dreams. But lately, that dream has hit a patch of turbulence and England feels they might be better off without him at this moment.
After missing the September camp, Bellingham made his return to the pitch for Madrid, but it hasn’t been the triumphant, chest-thumping comeback we all expected. He’s been a ghost of his usual self, culminating in a humbling start during the 5–2 demolition by Atlético Madrid. You could see it in his stride; the rhythm wasn’t there. He was searching for the beat in a song he used to know by heart.
Tuchel saw it too. When pressed, the German manager was refreshingly blunt. “He wanted to be called up,” Tuchel confirmed after a phone call with the young star. “There were no [new fitness] issues. He just lacks rhythm.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who expects to be the first name on the teamsheet. But Tuchel is looking at the bigger picture. The last England camp, without Bellingham, was humming. “Teamwork, team spirit, was at the highest level so far,” he explained. The message is clear: the collective comes first. Even for a generational talent like Jude, there are no special passes into a squad that has found its groove. It’s a cold, hard lesson in the realities of top-flight international football.
Why Were Foden and Grealish Excluded from the England Squad?
If the Bellingham omission was a shock, leaving out Manchester City’s dynamic duo, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, felt like a tremor. Both have been lighting up the Premier League. Foden, with his magical feet and uncanny ability to decide games, is back to his brilliant best. Grealish, on loan at Everton, is rediscovering the audacious, exhilarating form that made him a national treasure.
So, what gives?
“There is no problem at all,” Tuchel insisted, cutting through the swirling rumors of personal friction. “There is no personal problem.”
Instead, the decision is a brutal testament to the staggering depth of talent England currently possesses. It’s a luxury problem, but a problem nonetheless. Tuchel is rewarding the players who showed up in September and delivered. Names like Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, and Anthony Gordon aren’t just making up the numbers; they’re fighting for their shirts and proving they belong. They brought the energy, the cohesion, and the results.
Tuchel’s choice sends a powerful message to every English player: your reputation is not enough. You have to earn your place every single time. The competition is ferocious. For Foden and Grealish, the path back into the England squad isn’t blocked by politics or grudges. It’s crowded with hungry, in-form players who have seized their moment. The challenge has been laid down. Now, it’s up to them to respond.
