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Jude Bellingham looks set to go through the entire March international window without featuring for England, after head coach Thomas Tuchel described it as a "risk" to play the Real Madrid star in Tuesday's clash against Japan.
Bellingham returned to action for Los Blancos on March 22 as a substitute in the Madrid derby, following a 10-game absence due to a hamstring problem. His inclusion in England's final squad ahead of the World Cup selection announcement carried notable significance, particularly in ensuring the 22-year-old stays connected as preparations for the tournament ramp up.
Bellingham was absent from Friday's draw with Uruguay, though he has been training and participating with the group — which is sufficient for Tuchel at this point.
"I think it carries too much risk, so the tendency is that he won't play," the England manager told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We've all benefited from having him around. He was brilliant in training, but he was involved as a neutral participant. He wasn't part of 100% of the sessions."
Bellingham Approach Benefits Real Madrid
Tuchel sees little value in pushing Bellingham into a match his body may not be fully prepared for, particularly with nothing significant at stake in the friendly at Wembley Stadium.
"[Training] looked very, very good but we're still holding him back, to avoid any risk. The injury is muscular, it's a very specific one, and we absolutely cannot afford a re-injury at this stage of the season," the German coach explained.
This means Bellingham should be in full health for the critical closing stretch of Real Madrid's season, with both La Liga and Champions League titles still within reach.
Los Blancos sit four points behind Barcelona in the Spanish top flight, resuming action on April 4 with an away trip to Mallorca, and still facing a potentially pivotal Clásico against the Catalans at Camp Nou on May 10.
In the Champions League, a two-legged quarterfinal against Bayern Munich awaits on April 7 and April 15, with the German powerhouse widely regarded as the most formidable side remaining in the competition.
Can Bellingham Lead England to World Cup Glory?
A Ballon d'Or contender in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Bellingham stakes a strong claim as England's finest player alongside Harry Kane. He was a driving force behind the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2024 final and, should England make a deep run at this summer's World Cup in pursuit of their first title in 60 years, Bellingham will almost certainly have played a central role.
Whatever tensions existed between Bellingham and Tuchel previously — the manager had labelled the country's top midfielder "repulsive" over certain conduct before later apologizing for his wording — now appears to be firmly in the past.
"It was really positive that he was in camp. He was outstanding," Tuchel said of Bellingham on this occasion.
Competition for spots in England's starting lineup remains fierce, but Bellingham slotting into a No. 10 role ahead of central midfield duo Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson seems to be the preferred setup.