Matt Le Tissier rips into ‘disrespectful’ Jude Bellingham after analysing England footage
Jude Bellingham should not have reacted the way he did when he was taken off in England’s 2-0 win against Albania.
That is according to former England international Matt Le Tissier, who has exclusively told Football Insider that the Real Madrid star’s strop has given Thomas Tuchel a headache that he didn’t need to have.
England beat Albania 2-0 on Sunday evening as a Harry Kane brace preserved their 100% win rate in the final game of the World Cup qualification stage.
Jude Bellingham was handed a start by Tuchel in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Adam Wharton, and he put in a fine showing to help his country to a win during a hard-fought clash.
Bellingham was fuming with Tuchel after being taken off late on, and his attitude has once again created negative attention that the Three Lions’ camp do not need ahead of the 2026 tournament.
Bellingham was visibly angry at being substituted vs Albania
Bellingham shone against Albania as he won the most duels (7) and the most fouls (3) of any player on the pitch and also created two chances.
He cut a frustrated figure as he was taken off six minutes from time for Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers, and looked to gesture towards Tuchel to ask why he had made such a decision.
The England boss was asked after the game about the situation, and sternly responded: “That is a decision and he has to accept the decision. His friend is waiting on the sidelines. Accept it, respect it and keep on going.
“I will need to review it and I saw he was not happy. I do not want to make it bigger at the moment than it is. Players like Jude are so competitive, they will never like it.
“It is a commitment and respect to each other. We will not change our decision because someone waves their arms.”
Le Tissier thinks Bellingham must improve his attitude and conduct
Bellingham was not named in England’s previous squad as Tuchel decided he was not fit enough to play, and there have been ongoing rumours of a tough relationship between the pair after the boss previously described his behaviour as “repulsive“.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Premier League legend Le Tissier insisted that the Real Madrid star needs to take a wider view and not focus solely on himself, as well as improve his attitude to make Tuchel’s life a lot easier.
“Obviously Jude wears his heart on his sleeve, he doesn’t keep anything bottled up. If he feels frustrated about something, he’ll let everyone know about it.
“I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. However, you do also have to take into consideration that the England squad is a team game, and you’ve got to try to make sure that the squad is as harmonious as possible and you don’t kind of kick up a stink over little things, really.
“And it was a little thing, really, at the end of the day. As footballers, we all get subbed on occasions and it’s never nice, especially if you feel like you’re doing all right and you’ve set up a goal or, you know, you’re playing well, your confidence is good and you turn around and your number’s up.
“I’ve had that a few times, but you shouldn’t really be showing that kind of dissent in public, I don’t think, because it just creates problems that don’t need to be there.”