Declan Rice has spoken out in defense of Jude Bellingham, asserting that the England team ‘does miss’ the talented midfielder. This comes after Bellingham was omitted by Thomas Tuchel for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia, leaving fans questioning his absence from the squad.

Why Bellingham Was Excluded

Jude Bellingham has missed two international breaks, having undergone surgery for a persistent shoulder issue. He made his return to action with Real Madrid on September 20, but is still regaining match fitness, making his exclusion more understandable.

Rice’s Appreciation for Bellingham, Palmer, and Foden

Rice looks forward to having Bellingham back alongside him on the pitch, as well as welcoming other players like Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who are also recovering from injuries. After leading England to a 3-0 win over Wales, Rice remarked, ‘We do miss Jude, for sure. We miss Phil, we miss Cole, we miss loads of players.’

Tuchel’s Message to England Players

Tuchel emphasized that selection is based on current performance, not reputation. The coach stated, ‘We are not collecting the most talented players; we are trying to build a team.’

Looking Ahead

With Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers excelling in Bellingham’s place, as he netted his first senior international goal, the next match against Latvia looms, offering England a chance to secure their spot in the World Cup.