Sports
The VAR Review: Why Man United’s goal wasn’t ruled out; Trafford’s red-card escape
Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?
After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
In this week’s VAR Review: Looking at why Manchester United were awarded a penalty at Fulham but their goal was allowed to stand. Plus, should Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford have been sent off against Tottenham Hotspur?
Possible disallowed goal: Challenge by Yoro on Bassey
What happened: The game was in the 58th minute when Man United won another corner. Bryan Mbeumo delivered into the danger zone, with Leny Yoro‘s header deflecting into the back off the net off Fulham‘s Muniz. However, Yoro appeared to push Bassey as the ball came into the box, and that was looked at by the VAR.
VAR decision: Goal stands.
VAR review: The VAR doesn’t step in to disallow a goal for a foul very often in the Premier League — last season it happened just four times and only one of those involved this specific type of offence (Sepp van den Berg‘s effort for Brentford against Leicester City ruled out for holding by Yoane Wissa on Jan Bednarek.) No VAR error was logged across the season by the Key Match Incidents Panel for a foul in the buildup to a goal.
It’s easier to find examples of pushes which were not penalised — Joelinton on Gabriel Magalhães when Newcastle scored against Arsenal two years ago; or Beto on Ibrahima Konaté for Everton’s late goal vs. Liverpool in February.
Verdict: With the high bar in the Premier League, there is a reluctance to get involved in this kind of situation, with the belief that an attacking player is allowed to create space and the referee should be making the decision. However, if the VAR is getting involved in the earlier defensive infringement, it feels inconsistent that they would not intervene when Yoro’s push with both arms prevented Bassey from being able to challenge for the ball.
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The VAR argued that this level of contact wasn’t impactful, but it’s difficult to see how that can be the case when the United player was left free to direct a header which led to a goal.
The Premier League’s high bar for intervention — 83% of stakeholders voted that the current level should be maintained, with only 8% feeling it should be lowered — creates a situation where fouls such are left on the field. But for many supporters, it leaves the perception of a “big club decision” from the VAR.
And, of course, we have examples of very similar pushes being given as a foul on-field — such as Enzo Fernández‘s disallowed goal for Chelsea at Brighton & Hove Albion last season.
Possible penalty: Challenge by Bassey on Mount
What happened: Manchester United had a corner in the 33rd minute. As the ball came into the area, several players went to ground through grappling and holding but referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue. It then became clear a VAR check was being made for a possible penalty over a foul by Calvin Bassey on Mason Mount, yet it was one minute and 45 seconds until the referee was sent to the monitor by the VAR, Darren England.
VAR decision: Penalty, missed by Bruno Fernandes.
VAR review: At the start of the season, Premier League refs’ chief Howard Webb made it clear that there would be a focus on holding inside the area. Not the simple contact stuff, but the clear non-footballing actions.
“What we’ve said to the officials is if you get one of those situations where one player is clearly dragging another one to the floor in an extreme non-football action, even if it’s off the ball, we expect the referee to see it,” Webb said. “Or if it’s a clear one, then the VAR will intervene and recommend the referee looks at it at the screen because it fits the criteria that we’ve laid out. An extreme non-footballing action which prevents an opponent from moving.”
Webb also made it clear that there wouldn’t be a huge spike in penalties for this, as it was about catching the excessive examples — and that’s what England felt he saw here.
Bassey does throw Mount to the ground and has no interest in playing the ball, in a similar way to the VAR penalty awarded to Newcastle United at Everton at the start of last season — when James Tarkowski dragged down Sandro Tonali.
It’s confusing, however, that the VAR only showed the referee the “high behind” camera angle; there were other angles that showed the nature of the challenge more clearly. It may well be that the VAR felt this was the best to show that the offence by Bassey came before a possible foul by Luke Shaw on Rodrigo Muniz — or that it didn’t reach the threshold for a foul. And just because there was other holding taking place inside the area doesn’t mean the VAR won’t intervene if they feel there is a more serious offence
The “high behind” camera did make it clear that Mount was being “thrown” by Bassey, while Shaw was only holding onto Muniz. So, Bassey’s actions came first and a penalty is justified.
Verdict: The issue with holding offences is always going to be consistency, but the new guidelines have been brought in punish the more-obvious examples and not make football a non-contact sport on set pieces. There won’t be a flood of penalties for this.
However, when a VAR intervention happens the game should go back to that point — so the three minutes lost from the ball being in play to the end of the the review should be replayed, but only two minutes were added on at the end of the half.
Possible red card: Challenge by Trafford on Kudus
What happened: Mohammed Kudus ran onto a ball through the center in the 40th minute, and Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford came out of his area. The pair collided, with Kudus going down and Trafford then able to clear. Referee Peter Bankes allowed play to continue, and it was looked at by the VAR, Andy Madley, for a possible red card.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: One thing we can be sure of is that this was a foul and should have been called as such by the referee, who was perhaps fooled by the way Trafford came away in possession of the ball. The VAR can’t get involved in a simple free kick, but they can if there should have been a red card — and the chronology is important.
The first aspect to consider is denying a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by handball. A goalkeeper doesn’t have different handball factors to an outfield player, the arm still has to be extended away, in an unexpected position or there be a deliberate act. Trafford had his arm close to his body and didn’t move it, or his body, to the ball. The ball came at him from very close proximity off Kudus. This won’t be considered a handball offence and there shouldn’t be a VAR intervention.
Second, a possible red card for serious foul play. Trafford took a considerable risk in going into the challenge with Kudus with a raised knee, but he didn’t go into the challenge with excessive force or directly into the opponent, so this would not reach the bar for a red card.
Now back to DOGSO, this time for the challenge — the potential foul could stop Kudus being through to an empty goal. Does the foul come before, at the same time, or after Trafford gets a touch? This is important for DOGSO, because the direction the ball is travelling decides the quality of a scoring chance — if it exists at all.
So, if there is no handball, it’s a play of the ball by Trafford, and from that point it can be deemed that there is no chance of the Tottenham Hotspur player taking control.
It’s like the possible DOGSO against Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario vs. Brentford last season. He handled the ball outside the area, but the ball dropped behind Mikkel Damsgaard so it couldn’t be considered a DOGSO situation.
Verdict: DOGSO is very often about the perception of where it happens on the pitch, when it’s really the ball which is the key factor — along with the position of opponents.
Take Andrew Robertson‘s DOGSO red card for Liverpool vs. Fulham last season. There were clear questions about any kind of scoring chance for Harry Wilson, but as the foul happened just outside the area as the “last man” there was very little controversy.
A situation like with Trafford, and Vicario, can look and feel like it should be a DOGSO red card, but there could be one crucial element missing which means the VAR won’t get involved.
There’s just about enough doubt in the chronology of the incident for Trafford to avoid a red card through VAR, but it wouldn’t have been overturned if given by the referee. That said, most fans will believe this looks like a DOGSO red card.
Possible penalty: Challenge by Van de Ven on Bobb
What happened: Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario played a short pass to Micky van de Ven inside his area in the 52nd minute, but the Netherlands international defender miscontrolled the ball, allowing Oscar Bobb to steal it. It ran to Erling Haaland, who attempted to find Rayan Cherki — however he was penalised for a foul on João Palhinha. Bobb was on the ground asking for a foul, but it wasn’t spotted by the referee.
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: With the on-field decision carrying all the weight with VAR, there will often be similar decisions across a weekend with opposite outcomes — and often it’s the more-obvious foul which isn’t punished.
The ball has gone when Van de Ven stands on the foot of Bobb, and we’ve seen other instances when the VAR has intervened — such as when Chelsea midfielder Fernández was penalized for stepping on Manchester United‘s Antony.
Yet later on Saturday, Arsenal were given a penalty when Leeds United‘s Anton Stach trod on Max Dowman — the contact in that case appearing to be far less significant. (watch here)
Verdict: In both the Arsenal and Man City cases, the on-field decision was allowed upheld, which was understandable with Stach’s challenge. The high threshold will always give the perception of inconsistency.
Van den Ven makes contact on the top of Bobb’s foot after the ball has gone, and this should have been a penalty.
Possible handball: Saliba on Timber goal
What happened: Arsenal scored their fourth goal in the 56th minute when Jurriën Timber netted from close range following a corner routine. But was there a case of handball against William Saliba before the ball dropped to Timber?
VAR decision: Goal stands.
VAR review: Accidental handball is only an automatic offence if it’s by the goal scorer. As Timber scored, Saliba’s act either had to be deliberate or his arm needed to be in a position which wasn’t justifiable for his movement.
Verdict: It wasn’t clear if the ball did indeed touch Saliba’s arm, but there wasn’t anything that could be penalised for handball if it did.
Possible goal: Foul by Collins on Martínez
What happened: Brentford thought they had scored a second goal in the 43rd minute when Mikkel Damsgaard lashed home a loose ball after a long throw. Referee Tony Harrington disallowed it for a foul by Nathan Collins on goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Should there have been an intervention by the VAR, Tim Wood?
VAR decision: No goal.
VAR review: We’re back to the weight of the on-field decision, this time comparing to last week’s goal for Arsenal at Manchester United and Saliba’s challenge on Altay Bayindir.
The actions of Collins and Saliba were very similar, but one goal was disallowed and the other was given — both decisions taken by the referee.
Verdict: The VAR will stand by the on-field call because Collins seemed to be moving into Martínez, but it’s exceptionally soft and in a case like this, where the fault really does lie with the goalkeeper, an intervention would be a better outcome.
Last season, the KMI Panel didn’t log a VAR error for a challenge on a goalkeeper, but it did say the on-field referee was wrong to rule out a goal by Newcastle United‘s Bruno Guimarães after he had put pressure on Ipswich Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer. It feels like the Panel might come to a similar judgement on this.
Possible penalty overturn: Handball by Dewsbury-Hall
What happened: Brighton & Hove Albion were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall blocked a shot by Yankuba Minteh with his hand. Referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot and it was checked by the VAR, James Bell. (watch here)
VAR decision: Penalty stands, Danny Welbeck‘s effort saved by Jordan Pickford.
VAR review: Everton were furious on Monday when they conceded a handball penalty at Leeds United — but there was no chance that was going to be overturned. James Tarkowski had leaned his body into the path of a shot and stopped it with his arm. In law, that the arm was close to the body was irrelevant as the player’s body movement qualifies as a deliberate act. (watch here)
The Dewsbury-Hall decision was slightly more contentious, but he moved his arm into a raised position as Minteh takes his shot — and that makes it very difficult for the VAR to get involved.
Verdict: We’ve already had three handball penalties this season, all given by the on-field referee. That’s already beaten the total for 2024-25, when two were whistled on the pitch (plus seven through VAR).
Handball will always be contentious, especially those given, but the KMI Panel won’t judge either of these to be incorrect.
Possible red card: Violent conduct by Adringra
What happened: Simon Adingra was shown a yellow card in the 19th minute after he raised his hand to the face of Hannibal Mejbri. Referee Michael Salisbury only showed a yellow card to the Sunderland player, but was there a case for a red card? It was checked by the VAR, John Brooks.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: There’s a misconception that raising an arm to the face is automatically a red card, but it’s not that straightforward.
The law on violent conduct states that “a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
And it’s the last six words which saved Adringra.
Verdict: Referees are asked to consider if a player’s actions are petulant or violent for the incident to cross from a yellow card to a red, and a caution is justifiable in this case. There was no force in the way Adringra put his hand to the face of Hannibal.
It’s Monday, and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 24 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. Houston Dash, 7.30 p.m. ET
Kansas City is soaring into the postseason after beating another top-of-the-table team this weekend. Temwa Chawinga and Bia Zaneratto provided the goals as the league-leaders put space between them and 2023 champs Gotham FC in a 2-0 victory at CPKC Stadium. With the goal, Chawinga also added space between herself and Gotham’s Esther González at the top of the Golden Boot race, which she now leads by two goals. The victory also saw the Current set a new NWSL record for points in a season.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. Orlando Pride, 12.30 p.m. ET
Trinity Rodman‘s left-footed strike from inside the box (her fifth goal of the season) set the Spirit ahead in the second half in Cary, but they settled for a 1-1 tie against ninth-place North Carolina. With the draw (plus Gotham’s loss to Kansas City), the Spirit have officially clinched home-field advantage through to the playoff semifinals. After a record-breaking year for total attendance at Audi Field, that’s massive for last year’s runner-up, who seem poised to make a compelling playoff run.
1:11
North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit, 10/12/2025
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Sunday Oct. 19 vs. Racing Louisville, 3 p.m. ET
2024 NWSL goalkeeper of the year Ann-Katrin Berger missed Gotham’s marquee meeting with Kansas City due to a knee injury, so the Bats debuted 27-year-old goalkeeper Shelby Hogan on the road at CPKC Stadium in a massive test. Hogan’s three-save performance helped limit the Current’s dynamic attack, but Gotham left Missouri with a 2-0 defeat. They outshot their hosts but managed just two on target themselves, while team top-scorer Esther stretched her scoreless run to four games. They finished the weekend fourth in the table but will need to battle to hold on to home-field advantage with final tests in their next two games against teams vying for playoff positions (Racing Louisville, then North Carolina).
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. Washington Spirit, 12.30 p.m. ET
In her first match back from a back injury, inimitable club veteran Marta forced a heroic own goal in stoppage time to secure a hugely consequential three points against the Portland Thorns. That’s Orlando’s second win in a three-game undefeated run in the regular season, marking a sorely needed turnaround after a nine-game winless rut. The reigning champs finished the weekend in third place, but play second-place Washington Spirit and fifth-place Seattle Reign in their final games.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Sunday Oct. 19 vs. Angel City FC, 5 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)
In a fairly even contest on the road in Orlando (which saw both sides clock four-total shots on target), the Thorns settled for defeat thanks to Marta’s 93rd minute attempt from a corner that was officially ruled an own goal. A win or draw could have seen Portland clinch a playoff spot pending other results in the table. But after this last-minute defeat, the seventh-place Thorns will look to do so next weekend against Angel City.
1:19
Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC, 10/11/2025
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Friday Oct. 17 vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET
Seattle’s Welsh veteran that never stops, Jess Fishlock, came to the rescue for the Reign in a 1-1 draw against Bay FC. Fishlocks’s sixth goal of the season earned them a second-straight draw in a three-game undefeated run of results, seeing them to a fifth-place finish ahead of the penultimate weekend. They might regret not securing all three points as they jockey for homefield advantage, but they’re on track for a postseason berth.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. Chicago Stars, 10 p.m. ET
San Diego was one of a few clubs that couldn’t clinch or be eliminated from the playoffs this weekend. But they needed a result against Utah to keep their postseason aims alive. Despite horrible weather and trailing early, they secured a pivotal 3-2 win (ending a seven-game winless run) that has them in sixth place of a congested table ahead of the penultimate weekend. They’ve still got the tools to make a splash in the playoffs but will need to stay focused to secure their spot.
1:16
Utah Royals vs. San Diego Wave FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Utah Royals vs. San Diego Wave FC, 10/12/2025
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Sunday Oct. 19 vs. Gotham FC, 3 p.m. ET
Bethany Balcer‘s 93rd-minute equalizer against the already-eliminated Chicago Stars could prove pivotal in Louisville’s race to make their first playoffs. They finished the weekend in the eighth and final playoff position, ahead of North Carolina Courage by four points. They’ve got two games left — starting with a tough test on the road at Gotham — and will make club history if they stay above that line.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Friday Oct. 17 vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET
The Courage joined San Diego as one of two clubs (of those not already eliminated or secure in their playoff spot) that couldn’t clinch or be eliminated this weekend. Playing at home, they fell behind first against the second-placed Spirit, but fought back for a 1-1 draw that saw them finish one spot and four points short of the playoff positions. With two remaining games against Bay FC and then Gotham, they’ll need to find positive results and hope the teams above them stumble.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday Oct. 19 vs. Portland Thorns, 5 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)
If Racing Louisville had won their 1-1 draw against Seattle, there would have been nothing Angel City could do to stay in postseason contention. But they entered Sunday’s contest with fate in their own hands, and secured a compelling 2-0 win against Houston. They displayed a lot of attacking progress in the win, and have two games to break into the playoff positions. They need to win both remaining games to maintain a slim chance. Next up, Portland.
1:19
Angel City FC vs. Houston Dash – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Angel City FC vs. Houston Dash, 10/13/2025
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. KC Current, 7.30 p.m. ET
Mathematically, Houston can still make the playoffs. But the odds are very much not in their favor after falling 2-0 to fellow playoff-hopefuls Angel City FC on Sunday. They’re now sitting in 11th place and need to win their remaining games to maintain a slim chance of making the postseason. Unfortunately, they play Kansas City next.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday Oct. 17 vs. Seattle Reign, 10 p.m. ET
The Utah Royals put in a valiant end-of-season effort. Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to San Diego Wave ends a laudable eight-game unbeaten run (four wins, four draws), and officially eliminates them from the playoffs. They took the initial lead in the ninth minute and equalized later on, but needed a win to stay afloat in their postseason hopes. Regardless, fans can be proud of end-of-year form for the Royals.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday Oct. 17 vs. NC Courage, 10 p.m. ET
Bay FC were already eliminated from the playoffs ahead of their 1-1 draw with Seattle Reign, but they put in an impressive performance while playing on the road. Jordan Silkowitz contributed three saves to a near victory, which kept Seattle goalless until the 84th minute. At the other end, Bay created as many shots as Seattle in a match they nearly won.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday Oct. 18 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Alyssa Naeher refuses to let us forget why she’s one of the GOATs of US Soccer. The World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist made eight saves for the Stars in a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville, which they looked set to win until Balcer’s stoppage-time equalizer.
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A hard-fought win by the Kansas City Chiefs over the Detroit Lions took a wild turn once the final whistle blew on Sunday night as a brawl broke out among players.
Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes was going up to Lions defensive back Brian Branch for a postgame handshake. Branch snubbed Mahomes’ sportsmanship and it appeared wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took exception to that.
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Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch ,top right, fights with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) as Chiefs’ James Winchester, left, watches following an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) tries to break up a fight between teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster and Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch following an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Smith-Schuster and Branch exchanged words before the defensive back shoved the wide receiver in the helmet. Smith-Schuster went down on one knee and running back Isiah Pacheco was trying to hold the Lions player back. Smith-Schuster came back at Branch, trying to take him down.
Despite being held back by Pacheco, Branch still managed to rip Smith-Schuster’s helmet off. Players from both teams got into the mix trying to pull the two counterparts off each other. Another punch was thrown as the skirmish ended.
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Once the brouhaha subsided, the players said their final farewell to each other and headed back into the locker room.
The NFL is likely to dole out some punishment over the fracas.
Kansas City won the game, 30-17, bouncing back from a tough loss on Monday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chiefs are now 3-3.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
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The Lions’ streak of scoring at least 30 points ended at four consecutive games. The Lions fell to 4-2.
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Thomas Tuchel has already demonstrated throughout his club coaching career with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich that he is not afraid to ruffle feathers or argue with his bosses. That is why his appointments are often short-lived. And that tendency to never avoid confrontation was very evident in his decision to omit England‘s star player, Jude Bellingham, from the squad for this month’s games against Wales and Latvia.
However, you dress this up — and Tuchel denies that he has a problem with Bellingham — it is apparent that the England boss is making a point, and arguably aiming a shot across the bows of his most gifted player. Why? Reading between the lines of many a dispatch from the England camp, it seems there is an issue with how the Real Madrid star’s demeanor has been received by some of his teammates.
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He is a perfectionist whose body language can occasionally seem a little disdainful of less gifted colleagues. Are these accusations fair? Or is Bellingham simply trying to improve those around him to get results for the team? You suspect the player himself has, until now, been unaware of the vibes surrounding him.
Though Bellingham himself has admitted he maintains a “macho image” to deflect from personal vulnerabilities, which suggests he is hearing the current mood music.
“You notice when he is not there,” England teammate Anthony Gordon said. “He is a big presence, such a big player,”
No one is denying Bellingham’s importance to England’s World Cup mission as both creator and scorer. If the squad were to be selected tomorrow, he would certainly be included. And those who know him well, such as his good friend Jordan Henderson, describe him as a “brilliant character.”
But even going back to his Borussia Dortmund days, there were stories that some more senior players took exception to the then-teenager giving them a piece of his mind if things were going wrong.
It is easy to forget how much has happened to Bellingham. He was a fixture in Birmingham City’s team at age 16 and has since played 282 club games and 44 times for England. He has become an A-list global celebrity. So it is somewhat excusable for anyone to get a little giddy on that phenomenal success.
But here is Tuchel sending a message that he should take nothing for granted, that there are other No. 10s — such as Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers or Morgan Gibbs-White — on the radar. In other words: “Fight for your place like everyone else. There are no favorites here.”
The head coach astounded reporters last year by saying that his mother sometimes found Bellingham’s on-pitch behavior “repulsive.” He has since retracted that unfairly incriminating remark and apologized, but the quote did appear to reflect a level of dissatisfaction with how the player conducted himself.
It seems Tuchel wants a slightly modified version; a great tourist as well as a great player.
But is he right to do so? It is reminiscent of England’s only World Cup-winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, who liked to keep even his most trusted players guessing back in 1966.
His magnificent goalkeeper Gordon Banks left an England camp in that era with a cheery “See you next time, boss.”
“Will you?” was Ramsey’s icy response.
So what we are witnessing here may be Tuchel’s attempt to mold a World Cup squad free of the tensions that have undermined many a campaign for several teams, notably favorites France with their memorable row in 2010 and Spain (prior to their glut of trophies in more recent tournaments) on the frequent occasions when the rival Barcelona and Real Madrid players simply would not mix.
This week, legendary England midfielder Steven Gerrard said the talented national teams he played in failed because they were “egotistical losers” with petty cliques of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool players barely speaking.
So building a unified squad that pulls in the same direction is paramount for Tuchel, as it was for his predecessor, Sir Gareth Southgate.
It would have been easy for the England boss to explain the cold shoulder for Bellingham as an injury-related issue. He has, after all, been recovering from shoulder surgery, albeit featuring five times for Real Madrid since that operation, including starting the Madrid derby against Atlético.
But, typically, the German made it clear that it was a decision based on form, and said Bellingham had “no rhythm” in his play yet.
Besides, he wanted to reward the players who put in a breakthrough display for him with a 5-0 win in Serbia by naming an unchanged squad, even though he had to replace injured winger Noni Madueke with Bukayo Saka.
Yet it is fair to deduce that there is another agenda at play here, namely, the quest to head to the World Cup next summer with a happy band of brothers bursting with the team spirit that can make the difference in tight games.
Tuchel, like Ramsey 59 years ago, is going to do the job his way, even if it puts some noses out of joint. He does not care about that.
It is not only a brave option, but the right one. Bellingham will return to the team determined to prove a point and, as the world-class player and top character that he is, he will have taken note of what his boss is telling him. It is all just part of the learning curve, and one day, he might reflect that the day England left him out made him realize how he could become an even better contributor to the cause.
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