Tuchel delighted to fulfil Jude Bellingham's 'dream' by calling up his brother Jobe

Jude Bellingham said it would “be the biggest dream of his life” to play with his brother Jobe for England. Now that is set to become a reality for English football’s brilliant brothers after Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe’s first senior call-up.

Thomas Tuchel was fulsome in his praise for the pair and even when talking about them he mistakenly merged their name together as Jube before laughing as he quickly corrected himself. England boss Tuchel said: “I was aware it was always his dream. I saw Jobe once, I think he watched training very early in my reign.

“He came over and watched his brother train. We chatted and we said ah it would be nice if one day you are with him Jude. I think it will be beautiful for Jude to have his brother close and in camp and to have this experience together. It’s a very special moment for them of course.”

It is a wonderful feel good story - they would be the first brothers to play in the same England XI since the Nevilles - for the Bellingham family. Jude laid out that dream of playing with his brother on a podcast two and a half years ago and both their careers have taken off since.

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Jude has become England’s standout star after his sensational World Cup only heightened the Real Madrid superstar’s popularity. He is this generation’s David Beckham both on and off the pitch and handles his fame brilliantly.

Jobe is two years younger and, while they both came through their beloved Birmingham City’s academy, they have not played competitively together despite spending hours kicking the ball about as kids. They were due to play against each other in the summer of 2025 at the Club World Cup when Real Madrid played Borussia Dortmund but Jobe got suspended and that has not happened either.

They are incredibly close and supportive of each other’s careers. Both went abroad for their big breaks as Jobe first went to Sunderland, then bravely followed in his brother’s footsteps to join Borussia Dortmund.

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That was a big decision as both Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig were keen and Dortmund would bring obvious comparisons. Jobe is now starring in his own right for Dortmund while he captained England under-21s last month and his graduation to the seniors feels like a natural step.

They have been carefully and lovingly guided by their parents Mark and Denise and their dad showed great football talent is in the genes as he scored seven for an England vets over-50s team against the Republic of Ireland month.

Tuchel says there are very obvious comparisons but believes Jude will help his brother step up to the seniors while he says Jobe has already shown he can deal with comparisons. Talking about Jobe’s qualities, Tuchel said: “Maybe more an 8 than a classic 6. Less of a 10. He arrives also in the box but for us he will play more of a deeper role. Very good on the ball. Big body, big legs…very physical.

“Overall a good player, a good package and he played in the under-21s like he deserves the next step. I think he has to live with this, that everyone will compare them. They look similar, even in their movements, but they are very different players. And let’s see – I think they are also different characters, at least that’s what I heard.

“And yeah he goes to the same club, Dortmund, as Jude so of course there will always be comparisons. It will always be like that. But it is a huge achievement that both of them are in camp and I am happy to see how quick he can adapt to our style of play.

“Let’s what the effect is. I liked what I saw, Jude was always the big brother that you imagine, taking care of his younger brother and making sure everything is alright. Behaving like a big brother. And I think that helps Jobe now in camp.”

This is some turnaround for Tuchel’s “up and down” relationship with Jude from the manager’s poor choice of words in 2025 to his star midfielder’s incredible performances at the World Cup. Tuchel added: “I hope we have finished with the down. You never know as a coach.

“It was a bit of an up and down (relationship) of course but we are in a good place. I love to be his coach, he's a top player, a very influential player and I think it goes both ways. If Jude was not feeling comfortable he would not perform on that level.

“In the moment you see he's happy to come into camp, he's happy with the role he has, he's fully invested and now to have the chance to have both of them is just the next step.”