Jude Bellingham stood in Gelsenkirchen, the clock at 94 minutes 34 seconds, and looped an overhead kick into the Slovakia net. As the ball hit the back of the net, he turned to England’s supporters and shouted, "Who else?" It was an iconic moment at Euro 2024 – the equaliser that set up a 2-1 win and appeared to seal his status as the team’s golden boy.
Two years on, Bellingham’s star has dimmed. Instead of an unquestioned place in the side, he faces an England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, who has refused to operate a star system. The emergence of boyhood friend Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa’s outstanding midfielder, has made Bellingham’s role the subject of intense debate – a notion unthinkable after that night in Germany.
“Jude Bellingham, once England's golden boy, faces a fragile relationship with Thomas Tuchel as England start their World Cup campaign against Croatia.”
Tuchel’s relationship with the Real Madrid player has occasionally appeared fragile. After a friendly loss to Senegal last June, Tuchel apologised for revealing that his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham’s on-field behaviour as "repulsive". The coach admitted he used the word "unintentionally", but created further stir by leaving Bellingham out of England’s squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier in Latvia last October, even though Bellingham wanted to be included after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Now, Bellingham has won the battle with Rogers for the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. He will face Croatia in England’s World Cup opener in Dallas on Wednesday, intent on putting his international career in the ascendant once more. Tuchel’s build-up has appeared to treat Bellingham as a player on a mission – a special talent who can be a key figure in the quest to win the World Cup.
England have been in the United States for more than two weeks, acclimatising. But they suffered a blow on Tuesday when Tino Livramento was ruled out with a calf injury, replaced by Trevoh Chalobah. Around 10,000 England supporters are expected at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where high heat and humidity will be offset by air conditioning.
Tuchel, meanwhile, has history with tonight’s referee, Clement Turpin. Speaking before the game, the England boss said: "He was not happy with my behaviour during the match and he gave me a red card. I was not happy with his performance! I truly believe he is a top referee and believe he will show it again tomorrow."
In Bermondsey, the Kirby Estate – England’s ‘most patriotic estate’ – is draped in St George’s flags and bunting, a tradition for every tournament. Back in Dallas, Bellingham is about to write his next chapter. The question now is whether, when England need a moment, he can once again turn to the crowd and ask: who else?