He Gets Better With A Bit Of Rage — Tuchel Hails Bellingham Ahead Of Czech Republic Clash

England manager Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham plays his best football when he has a "bit of rage" in him.

The Real Madrid midfielder impressed in England's 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley on Saturday in their Nations League opener, despite attempts by opponents to rile him.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash with Czech Republic in Prague, Tuchel said Bellingham thrives on confrontation.

"He likes that. He gets better if that happens. It's better if he plays with a bit of rage. It's what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going," Tuchel said.

Asked about Bellingham's heated exchange with Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella during the Spain game, Tuchel said the midfielder switches off club friendships on international duty.

"I think he doesn't know any team-mates when he is in the national team. He wants to win. He doesn't know any team-mates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes," he said.

Bellingham, who was crowned England's Player of the Year for the second straight season last week, almost forced a late equaliser against Spain with a shot saved by Unai Simon.

Tuchel admitted he would love to start the 23-year-old in all four games of the autumn Nations League window but said his fitness will be assessed.

"It's the only style he can play; that's just his game. It's not an economic game, but let's see. I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn't done it this season in this tight period. We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude at risk," he said.

England face a gruelling schedule of four Nations League matches in 11 days — against Czech Republic away on September 29, Croatia away on October 3, and Czech Republic at home on October 6.

Tuchel said his ideal scenario would be to keep a core of six or seven players from the Spain game, including Harry Kane, who he said is "desperate to start all four" games, but admitted rotation may be unavoidable.

"I would love not to rotate, to be honest. I am not sure if it's possible. My ideal scenario would be to go again and go again and go again, with six or seven players minimum from that start again that we trust," he said.

The England boss also revealed he does not take calls from Premier League managers about player minutes, insisting his priority is winning for England.

"I never take calls from Premier League managers. No, I never called any national team coach. I cannot manage the players; it is just impossible. Why would I start doing this and maybe give the players the impression that it is maybe ok to take a step back? This matters. We want to win the next match," Tuchel added.