England head coach Thomas Tuchel described his relationship with Jude Bellingham as being "in a good place" after admitting it had been "a bit up and down".
Tuchel has two Bellinghams in his latest England squad after calling up Jude's brother, Jobe, for the first time for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. If they play together, it will be the first time brothers have represented England in the same team since Gary and Phil Neville 19 years ago.
This time last year, Tuchel cast doubt over Jude's place in his team by picking Morgan Rogers over him, having not included the Real Madrid midfielder in an England squad the previous month.
Bellingham started on the bench against Serbia last November, replacing Morgan Rogers in the second half - Reuters/Toby Melville
But Jude performed superbly for Tuchel at the World Cup and was England's best player during the last international camp. Tuchel revealed he has listened to his advice by calling up 21-year-old Jobe.
Asked if his relationship with Jude has developed, Tuchel said: "It was a bit of an up and down [relationship] of course, but we are in a good place.
"I love to be his coach, he's a top player, a very influential player and it goes both ways. If Jude was not feeling comfortable, he would not perform at that level.
"At the moment, you see he's happy to come into camp, he's happy with the role he has, he's fully invested and now to have the chance to have both of them [Bellingham brothers] is just the next step. I hope we have finished with the down. You never know as a coach."
Jude Bellingham and brother Jobe (right) are both included in Tuchel's latest England squad - Getty Images/Eddie Keogh
Jobe has captained England's Under-21s and, as well as U21 head coach Lee Carlsey, Tuchel acknowledged the influence of Jude on the Borussia Dortmund midfielder's first senior call.
Jude once said that playing with Jobe for England would be "the biggest dream of my life" and that it would mean more to him than any trophies.
Discussing Jude's influence on Jobe's selection, Tuchel said: "We spoke about his brother because I was aware it was always his dream and Jude was always like, 'Watch him, he's good, he can make it,' I would say, 'Yeah we are watching him.' And we know, of course, from Lee Carsley and we see him with the Under-21s and there is such positive feedback.
"This is also the signal that if you are good in the Under-21s, this is the next step. We had it with Elliot Anderson, we had it with Alex Scott, we have it with Jarell Quansah and it counts. If you play good for England in the Under-19s, 20s, 21s, if you play good for England in tournaments then it means something."
Tuchel at one point had to correct himself, with a laugh, when he accidentally referred to Jobe as Jube. On the subject of how Jobe reacted to his call-up and the comparisons with his brother that he will inevitably face, Tuchel said: "He has to live with this that everyone will compare them. They look similar, even in their movements, but they are very different players. And let's see – they are also different characters, at least that's what I heard.
"He [Jobe] watched training very early in my [reign]. In my first March camp maybe, he came over and watched his brother train. We chatted and we said, 'Ah, it would be nice if one day you are with him [Jude].' He was very kind and polite and I'm glad to have him in camp.
"He couldn't stop smiling [when I told him]. He has the same beautiful smile as Jude, so it's nice to have him. Let's see what the effect is. What I saw, Jude was always the big brother that you imagine, taking care of his younger brother and making sure everything is alright. Behaving like a big brother. And that helps Jobe now. And it will be beautiful for Jude to have his brother close and in camp and to have this experience together. It's a very special moment for them."
The room is furnished in a typical Austrian style. Lots of wood, a fireplace, a few decorative touches. Through the large windows, you can see mountains surrounding the town of Saalfelden. Right on the dot, 21-year-old Jobe Bellingham arrives. It is August 2025, the midfielder has just signed for Borussia Dortmund and is giving his first press conference at the club's training camp. German journalists are eager to find out what kind of character this talented youngster is. Will he provide any useful quotes for a story?
Half an hour later, the reporters are full of admiration and their notepads are full. Open-minded, self-assured, with clear opinions and a firm stance. That is how Bellingham presents himself. "It's just not in my nature to be a superstar. I want to function like a machine," he says. That was 15 months ago – a lot has happened since.
The fact he is progressing extremely well at Dortmund has been rewarded with this call-up from England manager Thomas Tuchel. A milestone for Bellingham, the next big step. At Dortmund he is playing an increasingly important role under manager Niko Kovac. To describe his style of play, you would most likely end up using his own expression: machine. Bellingham is becoming increasingly prominent and dynamic, his team-mates are looking to him more and more, and he is having a growing impact in attack. Ole Book, Dortmund's sporting director, recently said: "He's someone for the big stage."
The Dortmund hierarchy knew Bellingham would need time to adapt to the Bundesliga. Internally, the message had always been that the first season would be a settling-in period, despite the hefty transfer fee of around €30 million (£25m). His first year was a mixed bag. However, there was one thing that impressed the club's leadership every day: the way Bellingham constantly pushed himself to improve. His level of motivation is unmatched in the squad. His fitness numbers back that up. Kovac, a firm believer in discipline and physical conditioning, has the squad's physical performance metrics reviewed on a regular basis. For him, they are the foundation of success. And in virtually every analysis, Bellingham ranks among the very best. The extra work he puts in beyond official training sessions is paying off.
Jobe Bellingham has grown in stature since his move to Borussia Dortmund - Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein
Kovac says: "Jobe came from the English second tier; that's a completely different game. It's much slower there. The intensity in the Bundesliga is the highest of any of Europe's top leagues. We run more, we sprint more. Jobe has developed physically. We always knew he could play football. But one thing leads to another. He's settled in Germany."
For his club, Bellingham is far more than just a midfielder. He is also a figurehead and a driving force behind the club's marketing activities. The Bellingham name, made famous by his brother Jude, who played for Dortmund from 2020 to 2023 before moving to Real Madrid for almost €130m (£108m), is arguably the most recognisable in Dortmund's squad. When the club embarked on a marketing tour of Asia last summer, Bellingham was front and centre. At a Puma event in Osaka, he addressed the guests. In Tokyo, where the Dortmund delegation travelled next, a film about BVB was projected on to a huge skyscraper. The central figure: Jobe Bellingham. And after the public training sessions, Japanese supporters were particularly eager to get photos with him.
Jobe never wanted to be a carbon copy of his brother. He wanted to write his own story. The club, too, has resisted direct comparisons. They just wanted Jobe, not the younger brother of a world-class star. Now the brothers will be reunited in the England squad. For Jude, it is a dream come true. He previously said: "We've played together on the streets for so long. Playing for England alongside my brother would be the greatest dream of my life. That would mean more to me than any trophy."
Dortmund have never fought harder for a player in recent years than Bellingham. The club's executives first met him in person in the summer of 2020, when Jude signed. Jobe accompanied his brother to Germany. From that moment on, the club monitored every step of his development: his progress through the youth ranks at Birmingham City, the family club of the Bellinghams, and the evolution of his positioning on the pitch. After all, as a child, Jobe was still playing as a centre-forward. Over time, however, he gradually moved into deeper roles.
In May 2025, BVB decided to make their move. Word had reached Dortmund that Eintracht Frankfurt were interested and had already invited Bellingham to their training facilities. The pressure was on. Dortmund responded by pulling out all the stops. President Hans-Joachim Watzke, the man who shaped the club for more than two decades and led it to the top of German football, stepped in. He flew to England and met Bellingham face to face. It was a secret mission. Watzke was determined not to attract any attention that could jeopardise negotiations.
The problem: Sunderland, Bellingham's former club, had secured promotion to the Premier League only a day earlier. Hundreds of supporters were gathered outside the hotel where Watzke and Bellingham were due to meet. To avoid being recognised, Watzke put on sunglasses and a cap before making his way through the crowd. He brought two gifts with him. Firstly, a BVB shirt with Jobe's name on the back. Secondly, a handwritten note from Kovac expressing his desire to work with the midfielder. A few days later, Watzke received a phone call. It was Jobe. His decision had been made. He was joining Dortmund.
The work Dortmund put in to sign Jobe paid off - Borussia Dortmund
Ever since, the midfielder has enjoyed almost unwavering support. Watzke frequently spoke with him throughout his first season, offering encouragement and reassurance. The same was true of Kovac and other senior figures. Equally important to his breakthrough has been team-mate Felix Nmecha, with whom Bellingham has developed a close friendship and who has become an important source of advice. When time allows, the two enjoy playing padel together. Off the pitch they are opponents; on it they form a midfield partnership.
And while his father Mark was still complaining to club officials around a year ago that his son was not getting enough playing time, the situation has changed dramatically. The Bellingham family are delighted, and his England call-up has provided further confirmation that he is on the right path.
Fifteen months ago in Austria, Bellingham still needed some convincing before stepping in front of the press. Today, he regularly conducts post-match interviews. He's leading the way. And in Dortmund they are convinced of one thing: We will be hearing a lot more from Jobe Bellingham.
11:37am
We will wrap up for today.
11:36am
Very good player, very good season. In the way we play now I don't see him in a central position in the build-up, more in the finishing position of a No 8 or No 10 and the competition [for those places] is very high in our squad. He is in our squad of 55 and we see his quality. It was close for him.
11:33am
We were not happy about this. We could understand the disappointment of the fans with what happened before. This is expressed now and should be a closed book.
Everyone can see how Ben presented himself in the March camp. He did excellent and scored for us then conceded a penalty. Not easy for him but when I speak to him I always feel the hunger to come back. He is the stand-out player for Arsenal in a position where we have a lot of problems [with injuries] somehow, a lot of changes. Every time I watch Arsenal I see a very strong Ben White.
He deserves to open a new chapter and receive positive feedback from the crowd.
11:29am
I think Kobbie has had a difficult spell with his team and club and missed a lot of matches. In the meantime Jobe impressed in that spell. The door is always open for players to overtake and make their mark. That is a sign of the competition for central midfield places.
11:26am
He is a more defensive player than his brother. Good on the ball, good physique, big body, technical player who can keep possession. It is up to him now. We only have Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare and it will be difficult because [in the last camp] we developed some new patterns, some new behaviours. It will be hard [for him to pick that up in two days] but it is up to him. He is excited, happy and eager to impress which is the best foundation to have a good camp.
11:23am
It will be Rio [Ngumoha], who played there for Liverpool and impressed in the last camp. Josh [King] can play there. We will try that. And Morgan Gibbs-White. We need runners there and I think we have options. It was a close call not to bring Noni [Madueke]. It was very close since he got his chance when Bukayo was injured at Arsenal, getting minutes and goals. But we stick with the group we have and give them our trust.
11:21am
The door is always open and nothing has changed. We decided to do this [camp] without him.
11:20am
It's an incredible achievement [winning the Ballon d'Or and winning a record-breaking 126th cap] that these two occasions come together in one week. He wins the Ballon d'Or and deservedly so and now his 126th cap. Incredible achievement that underlines his professional status and his demeanour. His attitude. He is our captain. I cannot find a better frame [he means stage] to celebrate his achievement.
Let's not forget that it is a crucial match for us. We are desperate to win and have a final in Spain afterwards. The focus is on Croatia and it is a deserved 'frame' [stage] and occasion to celebrate his achievement.
11:15am
Everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception. We are speaking now about a player who was not in camp and it counts when you miss a camp. As I said last time he misses too many opportunities to impress. It was a long camp, 2½ weeks and the players there used it to build something extraordinary. The credit goes to them and the trust goes to them.
It's not personal and we will never assume that Cole is not in the mindset or not desperate to play for his country. The competition is on and the players who were in camp used their opportunity and have kept their place.
11:11am
He has a fantastic character and he impressed us in the US. He gives us a bit of flexibility. We nominated 22 outfield players which gives us flexibility in training. You could call it that he is the 'extra' player up front and a young, exciting and flexible player. He can play in the No 10 and No 9 for sure and we would like to see how he can play on the wings. In training [for the World Cup] we tried him at full-back. We won't try that again!
The attitude, the smile, the positivity and he is difficult to defend against. We hope he can bring that spark to camp.
11:08am
Lee Carsley is speaking very highly of him for a long time now. He is the captain of the U21s, the stand-out player. I think the door should always be open for the pathway, the door should always be open for special performers over a long period of time and that is what Jobe has done.
He has found his way and his rhythm with Dortmund who have had an excellent start to the season. He is a regular starter there and there is an opportunity because Myles is suspended for the Croatia game.
Jobe comes through the pathway and on his own merit and deserves to make an impression for us. That's why we are delighted he is with us in camp and we can see what he can do for us.
11:04am
He misses too many opportunities to impress. The trust is for the players who are in camp. It is not personal and we will never assume that Cole is not in the mindset to come in and play, but the players in camp did an amazing job.
It's enough No10s and we stick to the guys who were in camp. We were happy with the last two-and-a-half weeks we had together. The impact of the players throughout that camp was immense and that is why we stick mainly with the group. We have Josh King in the group who plays there [No 10] but I want to see him on both wings. He covers all eventualities because Josh can play all four positions. That's basically the reason.
11:00am
The Bellingham boys at Sports Personality of the Year in 2021 with their parents - PA/David Davies
Jude has previously spoken about his dream to play in the same England team as his brother, who is two years younger than him and has also followed his path by playing for Dortmund. Jobe moved there from Sunderland at the start of last season and finished his first campaign in Bundesliga as a regular starter.
"We've played together for so long in the street and to play with my brother Jobe for England would be the biggest dream of my life, that would mean more than any of the trophies, nothing would even get close to that. Nothing," said Jude two years ago.
10:49am
Jobe Bellingham's call-up for the England squad is ahead of Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been in eye-catching form for Everton. It also shows that Tuchel is thinking of the future, with Jordan Henderson not picked despite his presence in the World Cup squad.
10:45am
England checked with Chelsea and were told that Palmer was fit for international duty if selected. "Load management" not an issue this time, then.
10:42am
He is doing well. The reason why he has been left out, I don't know. But we are happy with Phil. It is my duty to help him and slowly, slowly he will be back to his best. We are very happy with Phil.
10:37am
And the message is plain: miss a camp for reasons with which he does not agree and pay the price.
10:32am
I am quite surprised that Noni Madueke has not made the England squad today. He's on arguably his best run of form in an Arsenal shirt. The winger has started seven of the last 10 matches and has four goal involvements (three goals and one assist) in his last eight appearances. He has been playing well on both flanks, too. Given his importance to Tuchel at the World Cup, it's a bit of a strange one.
10:28am
Josh is the pride of her club and our supporters. He came to this club at eight. How he's playing, how he's performing, we're really proud of him. I am so happy for him. He's a really humble kid. He wants to improve every day, a special day for him and all of us.
He is talented, he can receive between the lines where there is no space, he can dribble, he can run, he can pass. We are working with him on his finishing which is the most difficult thing in the game, to score a goal. But his character, he is so mature. He has everything to become one of the best players in the world.
Josh King has earned his first senior call-up - Getty Images/Carl Recine
10:23am
On calling up Jobe Bellingham:
Jobe Bellingham has been promoted from the U21 squad - PA/Nick Potts
Lee Carsley has been talking highly about Jobe for weeks and months, that he deserves it if there is a spot and a possibility to join and to make an impression in the first team.
He had good matches and is on a good run of form with Dortmund so he deserves to be with us. We have 21 outfield players for the first match and then possibly 22 for the second match. [Lewis-Skelly is suspended for the Croatia match after picking up two bookings in the opening games].
10:20am
Charlie (1872) & William Clegg (1873-79)
William (1875-77) & Herbert Rawson (1875)
Hubert (1873-78) & Frank Heron (1876)
Alfred (1877) & Ed Lyttelton (1878)
Ernest (1876), Charlie (1879-87) & Arthur Bambridge (1881, the only instance of three brothers)
Arthur (1876-83) & Harry Cursham (1880-84)
Fred (1880-82) & Jack Hargreaves (1881)
Arthur (1885-90) & Percy Walters (1885-90)
Alf (1882-84) & Charley Dobson (1886)
Charlie (1888) & Alf Shelton (1889-92)
Robert (1893-94) & Arthur Topham (1894)
Charlie (1890-93) & Tom Perry (1898)
Frank (1898-1903) & Fred Forman (1899)
Charles (1889) & Geoffrey Wilson (1900)
Bertie (1901) & Rex Corbett (1903)
Frank (1922-1926) & Reg Osbourne (1927)
Clem (1924) & George Stephenson (1928-1931)
Jack (1931) & Sep Smith (1935)
Bobby (58-70) & Jack Charlton (65-70)
Gary (95-2007) & Phil Neville (96-2007)
The busy brothers: Gary and Philip Neville - Action Images
Nathaniel (2018) & Trevoh Chalobah (2025)Jude (2020) & Jobe Bellingham (2026?)
10:11am
Ethan Nwaneri, Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Josh King all trained with the World Cup squad in the US without being part of it but subsequently Scott and Ngumoha were picked in the last squad (Scott was injured on England duty and is still out) and King is in this one. Only Nwaneri, on loan at Dortmund with Bellingham Minor, to come?
10:08am
Trevoh and Nathaniel Chalobah are the last brothers to have both played for England, although not in the same team. Gary and Phil Neville played together during their England careers. Bobby and Jack Charlton won the World Cup in 1966 together.
10:07am
Pickford (Everton), Steele (Brighton), Trafford (Leeds).
Branthwaite (Everton), Guéhi (Man City), Hall (Newcastle), Konsa (Arsenal), Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Spence (Internazionale), Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), White (Arsenal).
Anderson (Man City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eze (Arsenal), Garner (Everton), Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), King (Fulham), Rice and Lewis-Skelly (both Arsenal).
Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Gibbs White (Nottm Forest), Gordon (Barcelona), Kane (Bayern Munich), Ngumoha (Liverpool), Rogers (Chelsea).
10:03am
Two of the World Cup squad also miss out.
10:02am
There is no place for Cole Palmer but Ben White returns to Thomas Tuchel's squad.
Jude and Jobe Bellingham in the England squad to face Croatia and Spain.
10:01am
09:48am
Thomas Tuchel has Jordan Henderson back fit – and playing well – since the last international break. The last of Henderson's 91 caps came at the World Cup against Panama, with his tournament effectively ended when he famously broke his arm in the celebrations at the Azteca after Mexico were defeated. From Tuchel's squad in the summer, Djed Spence has also returned from injury although he is only just back playing for Inter Milan.
09:47am
Marcus Rashford is set to miss out on England through injury having barely played since the last international break. The Manchester United forward pulled out of the last squad, then returned for his club the following weekend. But he has not featured since the defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. His absence will open up a space for another wide forward, with Noni Madueke pushing for a call-up with his form for Arsenal.
Noni Madueke, who started five games for England at the World Cup, is in line for a recall in the absence of Bukayo Saka - Fifa via Getty Images/Maddie Meyer
09:40am
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the announcement by Thomas Tuchel of England's squad for their remaining two Uefa Nations Group 3 matches against Croatia – them again – at Wembley next Thursday and Spain at the Metropolitano in Madrid next Sunday night. England have already qualified for the knockout phase – barring a defeat by Croatia by a margin of eight or more goals – but would need two victories to avoid France and Portugal in the next two-legged phase in March.
Tuchel's only major injury doubt from the last squad are Arsenal's Bukao Saka and Como's Trevoh Chalobah as well as the more long-term absentee Tino Livramento, the man Chalobah replaced in the World Cup 26. Djed Spence has returned to full fitness and played for Inter in their Milan derby defeat last weekend while the head coach's favourite player, Jordan Henderson, has been passed fit to play for Chelsea at his boyhood club Sunderland on Sunday though at 36 his race may finally have been run at this level despite his unexpected encore in the last 18 months.
For the first time since 2001 England will have the Ballon d'Or winner in the squad and Harry Kane will also become England's most-capped player – barring some misfortune when Bayern Munich take on Mainz on Saturday – by leading them out at Wembley on Thursday night for his 126th appearance.
Whether he will be joined by Cole Palmer in the squad remains the only significant issue of note. The Chelsea forward pulled out of the last squad as part of his club's management of his groin injury but he has played in their last four Premier League games, scoring once and being sent off once as well. Kobbie Mainoo is fit again and may be picked to see if his backside has recovered from bench splinters since his summer of exasperation.
Will Tuchel restore Cole Palmer to his quad to join his team-mate and boyhood friend Morgan Rogers? - PA/Mike Egerton
The squad will be released at 10am and followed by Tuchel's explanations, which we will also cover here, an hour later.
