Man Utd trio offered England U-turn as Tuchel speaks out on Bellingham | Football | Sport
Thomas Tuchel is “optimistic” Jude Bellingham will be fit for England next month – and has subsequently opened the World Cup door for Manchester United’s exiled trio. Real Madrid superstar Bellingham sustained a hamstring injury last month and some reports in Spain have indicated the England midfielder may be sidelined until April.
However, Tuchel revealed he has maintained regular contact and is hopeful Bellingham could be available to face Uruguay and Japan in England’s final two friendlies before they depart for the World Cup this summer. England manager Tuchel also confirmed he is prepared to welcome back Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to the squad as they have returned to United’s starting XI under interim boss Michael Carrick.
Tuchel maintained Bellingham could be fit for England in March and said: “The club is a bit more defensive on the outlook regarding the weeks of his recovery.
“Jude is pushing, and as we know him, he is determined and super professional. He will try everything to be with us in March.
“Of course we are in contact, that is a normal thing to do, and we wish him all the best. Whatever we can do for him, we will help and support him. It is a little race against time. Personally, I am optimistic, but I am not sure.”
Tuchel attended West Ham on Tuesday night and was encouraging about all three potentially being selected for March – and the World Cup. All three dropped out of England contention after losing their positions in the United starting XI, but Tuchel was effusive in his praise of Mainoo whilst also expressing optimism about the two defenders.
When questioned about Mainoo, Tuchel continued: “Absolutely back in the frame! First of all, it is great that he is back on the pitch. He is such a huge talent.
“He has already played a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw and so is Harry Maguire.
“There are some players suddenly back in the picture, they play a back four now and play with a different style which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It’s good competition.”
