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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Thomas Tuchel decides to recall Jude Bellingham in key England squad

Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham has started Real Madrid’s past five matches, scoring three goals. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Sportsphoto

Thomas Tuchel has decided to give Jude Bellingham an England recall on Friday for the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, the Guardian understands. The head coach sparked a major sideshow in October when he did not select Bellingham for the friendly with Wales and the qualifier against Latvia.

Bellingham was not in prime physical condition having returned to the Real Madrid squad after shoulder surgery only a couple of weeks before Tuchel’s announcement. It was nonetheless a bombshell call given Bellingham’s ability and status, with Tuchel doubling down on it when he said he might have excluded him even if he had been 100% fit.

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