The Jude Bellingham Show. A World Cup body of work that, even by the Real Madrid midfielder's lofty standards, has been as mesmerising as we've seen in an England shirt in recent major tournaments. With four goals and an excellent assist for Harry Kane in the 2-0 win over Panama, Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England's run to the quarter-finals – arguably one of the best players of the tournament. It seems ludicrous now to think that there was even a debate as to whether the 23-year-old would be in England's World Cup team at all.
But Bellingham appears to be taking it all in his stride. Of course, he is used to the adulation. His route to the top was predicted by those in the game when he burst onto the scene in 2019. He made his debut for hometown club Birmingham City aged 16 years and 38 days in August 2019, becoming the Blues' youngest ever player and breaking club legend Trevor Francis' record set in 1970. A Premier League scouting report from that game quickly acknowledged his 'great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate', but it was his technical skills that really caught attention – his ability to carry the ball away from pressure and find space.
“Jude Bellingham has scored four goals and assisted another at the World Cup, emerging as one of the tournament's best players.”
Within a year, Bellingham was on the move – not to the Premier League, but to Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £20.7m. Upon his departure, Birmingham retired his number 22 shirt, with the teenager having played just 44 times for the club. Everyone in English football was starting to realise. He scored on his debut for Dortmund, bagging the second goal in a 5-0 win over Duisburg in the German Cup.
It wasn't long before Sir Gareth Southgate, then England manager, took notice. Bellingham, having played just 11 matches for Dortmund and still only 17, was fast-tracked into the senior national side, making his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland in November 2020. The clamour for Bellingham to become a regular for Southgate gained decibels with every performance. Now, he is indispensable – the centrepiece of England's World Cup hopes.