Tuchel: Bellingham “Lucky” to Avoid Red Card in Latvia Win
England manager Thomas Tuchel suggested Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to avoid a red card during their convincing 3-0 World Cup qualifying win against Latvia at Wembley Stadium.
Bellingham, having received a yellow card in the first half, appeared fortunate to not receive a second caution for a challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis. Tuchel responded promptly by substituting Phil Foden for the Real Madrid midfielder.
Manager’s Assessment of Bellingham Incident
Tuchel, who had previously advised Bellingham to be ‘more disciplined’, admitted to ITV Sport regarding the incident, “We were a bit lucky, and immediately decided to not take the risk and remove him.”
Team’s Progress and Reece James’s Performance
Tuchel noted that his side showed improvement compared to their victory over Albania in his debut match. He specifically praised Reece James after the right-back marked his return to the national team after two years with the opening goal.
Tuchel’s Overall Satisfaction with Team Display
Tuchel commented, “It was a challenging encounter; we had to break the deadlock. However, there were several positives – another clean sheet and we generated numerous opportunities from set-pieces. While we needed a set-piece to open the scoring, overall, I am pleased with the team’s attitude, energy, and desire to execute our game plan.”
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Praise for Reece James’s “Amazing” Qualities
Speaking further about James, who previously performed strongly under Tuchel at Chelsea and scored a superb free-kick in the match, the manager added: “I know Reece and I know his quality. He is amazing, and he has every right to be proud and satisfied with his performance.”
James Reflects on England Return and Tuchel’s Impact
Speaking to ITV Sport after scoring his first England goal, James commented on his return: “It’s been a long time. I’ve had a frustrating period, and I was delighted to be recalled to the national squad. I saw the wall and felt I could curl it over, and thankfully, I scored.”
James Praises Tuchel’s Clear Vision
James also praised Tuchel, his former manager at Chelsea: “His ideas are clear, as are his goals and targets. He established them immediately upon arrival, and we have one objective: to keep building towards the World Cup, starting from this international fixture.”
Kane Highlights Tuchel’s Positive Influence
England captain Harry Kane echoed these sentiments, stating: “He’s excellent. I think he’s integrated quickly and it’s a pleasure to have him as coach – the energy and passion he has brought are palpable. I’m confident we will continue to improve under his guidance.”