THOMAS TUCHEL ISSUES CHALLENGE — JUDE BELLINGHAM MUST PROVE ENGLAND WORTH
Jude Bellingham returns to the England squad but faces competition from Morgan Rogers for the number 10 role. Manager Tuchel says it's a "friendly competition" as he prepares for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Bellingham Warned By Tuchel - Photo Credit: Getty Images
After missing the previous international meeting in October, Bellingham is back in Tuchel's squad for their final World Cup qualifying matches against Serbia and Albania this week.
When Tuchel decided not to use the 22-year-old for the Wales and Latvia games last month, he had just recovered from shoulder surgery, which allowed Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa to excel in the number 10 position for England.
As Tuchel prepares for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year, Rogers' outstanding performances have given him a fascinating conundrum.
When asked if he would try to accommodate both players into his squad, Tuchel responded to reporters on Wednesday by saying, "It might be preferable to put everyone in their best place and have a competition rather than finding a spot for the greatest players to have them on the pitch."
"The two of them are currently competing against each other. It is a friendly competition because they are buddies.
"They do not have to despise one another and be adversaries. They fight for the same cause and treat each other with respect.
Will they be able to play together? Yes, but in a different framework, and the time is not right to alter it."
Bellingham's comeback comes after Tuchel was forced to apologise earlier this season for suggesting his mother considered some of the playmaker's on-pitch antics "repulsive".
"The standards are unambiguous."
Bellingham and the Manchester City forward appear content to be back in the fold, according to Tuchel, who also brought up Phil Foden after he was dropped from the last three England squads.
However, he made it apparent that England's impressive achievements without Bellingham and Foden did not imply that they would automatically return to his team.
"Bellingham's return has been pleasant. Everyone is glad to be at camp, and the environment has been positive for the past two days," Tuchel added.
"Having Phil around is always pleasant; he is a kind man who, like Jude, is a member of this team and content to be with them.
"I anticipate what they display. Join the group right away; why should it be unpleasant for them? Without them, we were setting the standards and levels.
"We must set our own criteria and construct what we are capable of. Now that they are back, they have an obligation to help with this, and they are doing just that. The requirements are unambiguous.
Winners of Group K In October, England defeated Latvia 5-0 to guarantee their spot in the World Cup.
Including six World Cup qualifying games, Tuchel has won seven of his eight games without giving up a goal.
Tuchel has just two friendlies left in March before he must select his World Cup team, having hosted Serbia on Thursday and visited Albania on Sunday.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager is happy with the unity he has managed to establish in less than a year in command, regardless of who makes it into his group for the tournament.
"Our goal is to create a strong bond, a team, a fraternity, and an atmosphere that everyone wants to be a part of. We also want to create a competition so everyone understands that if they leave at the wrong time, the door will be closed because someone else will take their spot," he stated.
"The opposite is true; it is not a threat. We are definitely on our way. Everyone desired to join the camp. Everyone was eager to attend.
"This is where we are right now, and it is an energy that feeds itself."
NIGERIA PLAYERS HALT TRAINING OVER UNPAID WORLD CUP INCENTIVES
Nigeria's Super Eagles boycott training in Morocco over unpaid bonuses from 2019. The strike disrupts World Cup play-off prep vs Gabon as players demand the NFF resolve long-standing payment issues.
Nigeria Stars Take Stand Over Bonuses - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Days before their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final matchup against Gabon, Nigeria's Super Eagles have raised worries by skipping their training session in Rabat, Morocco, because they have not received their pay incentives.
In addition to bonuses for making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and making it to the World Cup play-offs, the players and technical staff are requesting that the unpaid bills that have allegedly been unpaid since 2019 be settled.
The team's preparations have been severely disrupted by the circumstances. In a statement, the team and officials expressed their dissatisfaction with the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) "false promises" and emphasised their reluctance to practice until the outstanding financial concerns are handled.
Journalists covering the team confirmed the players' boycott, underscoring the tight environment in the camp.
On Thursday, November 13, the Super Eagles will play Gabon at Rabat's Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.
Nigeria needs to defeat Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of the Congo in this semifinal to move on to the playoff final, where the victor will earn a spot in the intercontinental World Cup play-offs.
Important players like captain William Troost-Ekong, strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi are also part of the current Moroccan team. Maduka Okoye, the goalie, is anticipated to be at the camp soon.
Although talks are apparently going on behind the scenes, the NFF has not yet issued an official public statement.
This boycott is a reflection of larger problems in Nigerian football with regard to player welfare and federation transparency, which have been made worse by previous reports that the team's accommodations in Morocco were subpar.
FORMER CHELSEA ACE OSCAR HOSPITALIZED AFTER ON-FIELD TRAINING SCARE
Former Chelsea star Oscar was hospitalised after collapsing in training with Sao Paulo. The Brazilian midfielder is stable after cardiac complications were found. Updates on his condition and potential retirement.
Oscar Collapses At São Paulo Training - COURTESY/PHOTO
Following his collapse during a training session, a former Premier League attacker was taken to the hospital.
After five seasons at Chelsea, where he became a cult figure, the Brazilian left for what many saw as a fast payout at a lower league team.
During a gym session at the club, Oscar, who currently plays for Sao Paulo, reportedly passed out while riding an exercise bike. After paramedics transported him to Einstein Hospital Israelita, medical professionals discovered heart issues.
According to the club, the 34-year-old is currently in stable health but is still being watched as tests are conducted.
“Athlete Oscar presented an incident with cardiological changes during tests conducted on Tuesday morning, at SuperCT, as part of the preparation for the 2026 pre-season. The club's professionals and the medical team from Einstein Hospital Israelita, which was present at the site, promptly attended to the incident,” a Sao Paulo spokesperson stated.
After that, the player was brought to the hospital, where he is currently being monitored for further testing to confirm the diagnosis and is clinically stable.
"New information will be given as soon as there is an update from the medical staff, in agreement with Oscar, in accordance with standard protocol and respecting the player's privacy."
According to claims in Brazilian media, Oscar has already undergone a diagnostic catheterisation and an MRI. In order to concentrate on his recuperation, it has also been proposed that he could give up football completely.
Oscar and São Paulo have a contract that expires in 2027, but if his health keeps him from playing again, there is talk that it could be mutually terminated.
After joining Chelsea in 2012, the attacking midfielder played in more than 200 games and scored 38 goals in five seasons. Before his £60 million move to Shanghai SIPG (now Shanghai Port) in 2017, when he earned £400,000 a week, he assisted the team in winning two Premier League crowns, the League Cup, and the Europa League.
Before he signed for Sao Paulo in 2024, he lived in China for almost eight years.