Gary Lineker makes bold Jude Bellingham claim as he predicts new England role
Jude Bellingham could become England’s centre-forward when Harry Kane retires, according to Gary Lineker.
Bellingham has begun the 2023/24 season on fire for club and country, setting tongues wagging. The 20-year-old midfielder has scored a staggering 11 goals in 12 games since joining Real Madrid over the summer in a transfer from Borussia Dortmund which was worth an initial £88.5million.
He was also fantastic in the 3-1 win over Italy which saw England qualify for Euro 2024 with two games to spare. Kane scored twice in that game to move onto 61 goals in 87 games for the Three Lions, but Bellingham’s eye-catching goalscoring form has triggered an idea for Lineker, who himself netted 48 goals for his country.
"The way he has started at Real gives Gareth Southgate a great option,” he told The Sun. "If something happens to Harry Kane – or after he is finished because Harry is now 30 – Jude could play at centre-forward, as a false nine if you like.
"He is now scoring poacher’s goals. He’s even doing the ‘easy’ bits that I used to do! He has been playing as a No .10 for England in his last few games. He can play in a deeper role as a No. 8, he is probably the most complete English footballer I’ve ever seen and he’s only 20.”
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Bellingham has been given a freer role by Southgate with England and Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid – and it is paying off. Having netted 24 goals in 132 games for Dortmund, he has exploded this season by playing further forward.
Harry Kane has combined well with Jude Bellingham for England (Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Could you see Jude Bellingham developing into a striker? Comment below.
Speaking to Channel 4 after the Italy game, Bellingham explained his favourite position: "I think it's probably the position that suits the two systems I am playing in the most at the minute and the team-mates I am playing with. Last year it was different and obviously, I think the kind of team and system, it would have been a position that didn't maximise all my strengths at the time.
"I think over the last few months, I have been really working on my timing of getting into the box and when I am arriving, I am arriving with a different kind of hunger.
"I know with the big transfer and everything that comes with a transfer like that, I know I have to deliver. I know I have to be the one that tries to decide games. It is a lot easier when I start higher to create those moments."
Bellingham only has two goals in 27 appearances for England so far, but his recent form suggests more are just around the corner. Southgate’s side face Malta and North Macedonia next month in their final Euro 2024 qualifiers. Having already qualified, the England boss might be tempted to experiment with his line-up.
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