England midfielder Jude Bellingham has stressed the importance of needing to 'feel loved' as the Three Lions prepare for their World Cup opener against Croatia next Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. The 22-year-old, who has 48 England caps, was part of the squad that reached the Euro 2024 final, where they were beaten by Spain. But he admitted the group was 'not quite connected' during that tournament, and he previously felt like a scapegoat for England's failure to win.
Speaking on England's Lions' Den show, Bellingham said: 'At the Euros we got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch. I don't feel like the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons. Expectation was part of it - we had done well in 2018 and done well in Qatar [for the 2022 World Cup] and when it came to that tournament we were seen as one of two or three teams that should win it.'
“Jude Bellingham says everyone 'needs to feel loved' for England to succeed at the World Cup, reflecting on past disconnection.”
England, managed by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, were often accused of playing poorly. Bellingham said: 'We were not playing particularly well so even when we were winning you didn't get the feeling you were as happy as you should be.'
Now, under Thomas Tuchel, there is a different feel around the camp. Bellingham said: 'I think this time round having those experiences... and knowing, for example, that the guy who scores the winning goal in the World Cup final isn't always the one you'd bet your house on so you've always got to be ready, everyone's got to feel loved and feel a huge part of the team. The other thing is just to enjoy it.'
His comments come amid a debate over his position in the side, with some suggesting Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers should start instead. Tuchel has suggested Bellingham's spot is not assured and said he cannot win the World Cup on his own.
Rogers, who could compete with Bellingham for the number 10 role, said: 'We are really aligned and it is really easy and seamless for anyone to fit in the group. Wherever you are from, wherever you play, ages - it doesn't matter in this group. It is a joy to be here.'
England are looking to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966. After Croatia, they face Ghana and Panama in the group stage. Bellingham, who scored once at Euro 2024 and netted a key late equaliser against Slovakia, knows the importance of unity: 'There has to be that element of relentless and wanting to win but it is the nature of football that wins go out of the system quickly and we should hold on to that moment a little more.'