13 September 2023 , 21:30
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Jude Bellingham as the world at his feet at just 20 years of age. England also have the most exciting young midfield talent in Europe who can drive a new generation of talent for the next decade.
And Gareth Southgate also sees a “leader” who embraces the big occasion and with the right guidance can become a future England captain.
Bellingham has never been afraid to push himself as he went to Borussia Dortmund at just 17 and is now at arguably the biggest club in the world but has scored five goals in his first four games for Real Madrid.
That is a player who relishes a challenge and one who stuck out his chest with pride when Scotland fans booed England’s national anthem. And gave his answer on the pitch.
England boss Southgate said: “The biggest thing for me is his personality. We knew our anthem would be booed, we talked to the players about taking energy from that. We wanted to prepare them for everything for the game.
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“But I’m looking at him stood in the line and I know what’s coming. That’s the sort of thing that makes the difference, the mentality of the player. He’s definitely got leadership qualities. The great thing in this group is our senior players are such good leaders, we’ve got six or seven who are incredible.
“The two full-backs who played in Scotland are incredible characters for us, real unsung heroes, and they set a brilliant leadership example around the place. Where he’s bright enough is to attach himself to those sorts of characters.
“The people you mix with, the people you hang around with in life, probably are a good indicator of where you’re going to end up. He’s really savvy at that. I think his whole life and how his family have looked after him have given him a great start but there’s still a lot to go.”
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden celebrate (AFP via Getty Images)Bellingham’s man of the match display in Glasgow was a defining performance. We will remember it as a coming of age in the same way Paul Gascoigne starred for England in April 1990 in a 4-2 win over Czechoslovakia to book his place in the squad for Italia 90.
Or when we realised that Tony Adams was an England captain in waiting. When Wayne Rooney announced himself on the international stage. The same for Harry Kane.
Those pictures of Bellingham celebrating, chest puffed out, arms spread wide and the Real Madrid star enjoying the moment. He is a special, unique player.
There is still so much more to come from Bellingham and, after a debate about where he should play, it is now clear England must build the team around him rather than try to squeeze him into a formation that does not get the best from him.
Southgate said: “That’s for all of us to make sure we’re helping him in the right way, pushing him at the right times, helping him with the bits of his game that can get better, but also allowing him to flourish.
“He’s obviously playing a slightly different role and he’s got a lot of freedom there because he’s got three really athletic midfield players behind him.
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“So for most of the season Real Madrid have been playing without a nine so he’s been the one making the box. He’s still somebody we’re talking to a lot, trying to help him with his game because he’s still got areas to improve. But he was terrific.”
Bellingham has already played at a World Cup as a teenager. Was in the last Euros squad. He has shown maturity way beyond his years.
But that is probably because he’s been used to such attention for most of his life. The prodigious young talent courted by every club since he was a kid.
And yet somehow, Bellingham remains grounded and ready to improve. Which is a huge tribute to those closest to him for the guidance they have given him. Now Southgate knows he can fully unleash a player who is the envy of the world.