England analysis: Round one to Thomas Tuchel means Jude Bellingham is winning too

Handed a shot by Bellingham's shoulder surgery, when Tuchel put off a first meeting of the season in October he was not dodging a fight, he was potentially starting one.

If Tuchel can box clever, he will not knock Bellingham out of next summer's World Cup but enhance England's world title chances. The 22-year-old's cameo as a substitute in a World Cup qualifying dead rubber against Serbia – and Phil Foden's – suggested that perhaps he can.

The trash talk had come in the summer – from Tuchel's mum. England's coach later apologised for sharing his mother's view that she found some of Bellingham's behaviour "repulsive", but we had all got the message by then.

One word said so much, at least when backed up by Tuchel's selections. You might be the most talented player, but only those who fit his "culture" will be on the plane to America. In Morgan Rogers he has an excellent alternative.

"Arrogant" is another word you do not want attached to you in real life but in sport, it can be good – if the balance is right. Only the arrogant will try some of the audacious things top sportspeople do and if they have the talent to pull it off even occasionally, the results can be jaw-dropping.

Bellingham's brilliant stoppage-time equaliser against Slovakia was a case in point at the last European Championship.

Too often, though, the demeanour of the star of Real (Royal) Madrid – where coaches come and go and Galacticos rule the roost – at Euro 2024 smacked of entitlement. Bellingham gave the impression – accurate or not – he felt referees and team-mates did not deserve to be in his company.

But Tuchel can be arrogant too, the biggest ego in the room no matter the Galacticos in there with him, arrogant enough to think he can win a World Cup without one of the planet’s best players. And he is talented enough and his squad good enough that he could just be right.

If only Sven Goran Eriksson had been as arrogant back in the day.

On a wet Thursday in London, Bellingham was made to wait his chance for 65 minutes but when it came he took it, energising a humdrum game long after the enthusiastic cheers that greeted his arrival.

Until the appearance of sub Jude, England, were subdued, labouring to add to Bukayo Saka's brilliant volley and fortunate Dusan Vlahovic's backheel went just beyond Jordan Pickford's far post.

It was a world away from September's Rogers-inspired 5-0 win over the same opponents (but a different coach) in Belgrade, and Tuchel "loved it" for that.

"I'm happy about this test, it was a test," he smiled, enjoying extending his record of never conceding in a competitive England match with a 2-0 win, even if Vlahovic would come close again to breaking it.

But after the quadruple substitution, England looked a different team, and not just for Bellingham.

Foden was outstanding as a "false nine" dropping out of the centre-forward position to get involved in the play. He replaced Harry Kane, who had taken it to extremes, sliding into a tackle on the edge of his own penalty area before being substituted.

Whisper it very quietly but if one of the most in-form strikers on the planet – only a Yorkshire-born Norwegian at Manchester City stops him being the undisputed holder of that title – having another tournament like his last or getting injured might not be an utter catastrophe.

In the television studio they debated whether Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford – high on confidence, low on end product on Thursday – is England's best left winger but Eberechi Eze came on to remind them he was in the conversation too, hitting a post then the back of the net, both from Foden passes.

Only with England can a £67.5m forward can be a forgotten option.

Bellingham produced a balletic turn but got stuck into tackles too. Reece James caught the mood, backheeling a return pass to him.

But no one has ever doubted Bellingham's talent, the question for Tuchel is about team ethic.

"If we’re a strong group who can put the ego behind (them), put the disappointment behind, and contribute and give the coach a headache, that’s the only way,” he said.

“The ones on the pitch know that they can rely on everyone who comes from the bench to finish the game. We just need everybody fully involved, especially mentally, to accept the decision of the matchday."

Foden's ability has never been in doubt either. Finding a way he can express it with three lions on his chest usually has been.

"I like to have him in the centre of pitch in close connection with other players,” explained Tuchel “It is a big ask to challenge Harry at the moment, he is in the shape of his life. But to be an accomplice and share some minutes, then he is an option.

Tuchel has made his point to Bellingham and Foden, and Thursday was a first sign they may have taken it on board. Both should start in Albania on Sunday, they have earnt it.

The fight is not over yet, but it promises to be an entertaining one. If Bellingham is ready to rumble, we should not grumble.