Jude Bellingham has emphasised that every England player must feel valued if the Three Lions are to succeed at the upcoming World Cup. With just five days until their tournament opener against Croatia in Dallas, the Real Madrid midfielder addressed the atmosphere within the squad.
Bellingham's Role Under Scrutiny
There has been debate over Bellingham's place in the starting lineup, with some pundits suggesting Morgan Rogers should be preferred. Head coach Thomas Tuchel has indicated that Bellingham's spot is not guaranteed, stating the 22-year-old cannot win the World Cup single-handedly.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Speaking on England's Lions' Den show, Bellingham reflected on the previous European Championship: "At the Euros we got some things wrong off the pitch. The group didn't connect as well as it could have. Expectation played a part — we were seen as one of the favourites, but we weren't playing well, so even when winning, we weren't as happy as we should have been."
He added: "There has to be a relentless desire to win, but victories fade quickly. We need to savour those moments more. This time, having experienced that, we know the match-winner in the final might be unexpected. Everyone must feel loved and integral to the team. Above all, we must enjoy it."
Bellingham's England Career
Bellingham, who debuted at 17, has earned 48 caps for England. He started every game at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once against Iran. At Euro 2024, he netted twice, including a winner against Serbia and a crucial equaliser against Slovakia in the round of 16, as England reached the final.
After facing Croatia, Tuchel's side will play Ghana and Panama in Group B.
