The debate before the tournament

Before the World Cup started, Jude Bellingham’s starting place in Thomas Tuchel’s England team was far from guaranteed. Fans and pundits questioned whether he was the right fit.

After England’s 2-0 win over Panama, that debate feels settled. Bellingham has become the player Tuchel’s system cannot function without.

A deeper role against Panama

In their first two matches, England built from the back with Declan Rice and Bellingham holding midfield. Harry Kane would drop deep to link play.

Against Panama, with Rice injured, Bellingham took on a box-to-box role. He supported Elliott Anderson at the base of midfield while also pushing forward as a number 10. England’s shape shifted between a 3-2-5 and a 3-1-6 depending on how he read the game.

Tuchel confirmed this after the match, saying Bellingham “played as a 10 when we had the ball” and that he wanted “six players in the last line.”

Covering the cracks

England’s attacking approach under Tuchel relies on wide play. Full-backs and wingers combine in triangles to create chances.

But with Reece James injured and wide players not at their sharpest, England needed something different. Bellingham provided it by adapting his game to operate in tighter central spaces — areas he does not usually dominate.

When pressed between the lines, he found creative ways to release the ball wide or win fouls. When England lost possession, he sprinted back to make recovery tackles.

The two-goal performance

Bellingham’s influence was clearest in England’s two goals. His runs behind Panama’s defensive line created the corner that led to the opener.

For the second goal, he exploited space behind Panama’s wing-back after Marcus Rashford dropped deep. Bellingham’s diagonal run pulled a centre-back out of position, and his cross found Kane for the finish.

His awareness of where to run, when to drop, and how to cover teammates made him the link between Tuchel’s defensive structure and attacking intent.

Why it matters for the knockout rounds

England face DR Congo in the round of 32. Tuchel’s system is designed for tournament football — controlling possession while taking calculated risks.

Bellingham’s ability to play multiple roles in the same match gives England tactical flexibility that few other teams have. If the wide players find form or injuries clear up, he can shift back to a more attacking role without disrupting the team.

For US fans watching the World Cup, Bellingham’s evolution is a case study in how one player can adapt to make an entire system work.