Jose Mourinho did not need another name on the treatment table this week. He got one anyway.
Jude Bellingham came off the bench in the second half of England’s 2-0 win over Czechia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Tuesday 29 September, and he felt something before the final whistle.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed the issue in his post-match remarks.
“He had a little niggle at the end of the match, so hopefully it’s nothing serious and he’s available for Croatia,” the England head coach said.
Tuchel also explained that Bellingham’s minutes had been deliberately managed because of the quick turnaround, with the Real Madrid midfielder’s workload a conscious call rather than a reaction to form.
The 23-year-old could feature if the knock settles when England travel to Rijeka on Saturday for their Nations League meeting with Croatia.
Only Rudiger fully fit at the back
La Liga restarts for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday 10 October, with the kick-off set for 9pm local time. Mourinho will prepare for Villarreal with only Antonio Rudiger regarded as a genuinely available senior centre-back.
Dean Huijsen is suspended after a red card in the Madrid derby. Ibrahima Konate is still recovering from a problem picked up on international duty with France. Eder Militao has not played since April and is being managed carefully back toward fitness. Raul Asencio was confirmed for surgery on a fractured tibia that will keep him out for at least two months.
Read also: Barcelona handed fresh hope in pursuit of Man City star
Rudiger himself is no longer an automatic starter, with the medical staff conscious of a long-running knee issue that has limited his minutes. One alternative under consideration is moving Aurelien Tchouameni back into central defence, a role he filled under Carlo Ancelotti.
El Clasico sets Mourinho’s October
Barcelona at Camp Nou on 25 October is already shaping the planning. Mourinho has La Liga and Champions League nights to navigate before then, and every fresh fitness report carries weight when the pool is this thin.
Bellingham sits at the centre of how Mourinho wants the midfield to control the ball and attack the box, and losing him for any stretch would narrow the options noticeably.
The next read on his condition comes after England’s Saturday trip to Rijeka.
Read also: FA is blocking Guardiolas next manager move
Read also: Arsenal eye Real Madrid star as January exit door opens
