Why all of England is proud of Bellingham
“He’s the only one faster than Mbappé”
The top European duel in the World Cup quarter-finals between France and England is awaited with great excitement. Kalvin Philips is certain only one player can handle Kylian Mbappé’s speed.
In England, not only the legends bow to Jude Bellingham, but also the players. The professional from Borussia Dortmund has done it to everyone. He leads the Three Lions to unusual consistency.
WAs far as drinking is concerned, there have already been quite a few who have gone overboard within the English national team. Wayne Rooney’s binge drinking has filled entire pages in the British tabloid press – as did Paul Gascoigne’s before it. Harry Kane, who has been the captain of the football motherland for four years, comes as a surprise. He even forbids beer and other alcohol during the season, to fall asleep he drinks a glass of milk with two lumps of sugar, and to distract himself during long tournaments he likes to play the Wolf card game with his colleagues. Maybe it’s exactly that mixture of down-to-earthness, boredom and professionalism that can lead the “Three Lions” to success at the football World Cup in Qatar.
In any case, the interim balance is extremely positive: England is the only European team to have reached at least the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 European Championship and the 2022 World Cup. Such a series boosts self-confidence even before the duel with the defending champions France, who appear to be overwhelming, on Saturday (8 p.m.). “These are real champions. I hope it’s a good fight,” said captain Kane. And his coach Gareth Southgate adds: “It’s a fantastic challenge. There have been great games in the past. It is a brilliant opportunity for us to measure ourselves against the best.”
Jordan Henderson (right) and Jude Bellingham celebrate – and let themselves be celebrated
Those: AP/Francisco Seco
In the final game of the quarter-finals in Qatar, Southgate can primarily rely on two professionals who have recently been groundbreaking for the consistently strong performances. In addition to Kane, who scored the first goal of the tournament this year in a 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 and who is considered one of the world’s best attackers, a talent of the century is causing a sensation in England’s selection: Jude Bellingham, just 19 years old, is acting in midfield like a player from another planet. The man in the service of Borussia Dortmund combines passion and lightness in one, so that (not meant to be taken seriously) doubts about his real age have arisen. “My goodness, Bellingham is incredibly good. He’s the leader on this team. His parents must be so proud. I love him,” English football legend Gary Lineker tweeted. And England’s former captain Rio Ferdinand adds: “He’s not just 19. I want to see the birth certificate.”
PSG boss: “Everyone wants Bellingham”
In any case, at Borussia Dortmund they can look forward to Bellingham’s performance explosion in the emirate. The young star is still tied to the Ruhrpottklub until 2025, if he changes before that, BVB will achieve a record fee: According to the portal, Bellingham has transfermarkt.de currently has a market value of 100 million euros – and the trend is rising. He should bring the Dortmunders even more than Ousmane Dembélé, who was transferred to FC Barcelona in 2017 for around 140 million euros.
Nasser al-Khelaifi has been following the continued gala performances closely. In addition to being a Qatari, he is also the boss of Paris Saint-Germain. “I’m not going to hide it, everyone wants Bellingham,” he says. “What a player. First World Cup and so calm, relaxed and confident.”
The consistency with which the highly talented player delivers his games is also amazing: initially in defensive midfield during the group phase and then in attacking midfield since the win against Senegal in the round of 16. Where other pros need time to switch roles, Bellingham works right off the bat. “He’s a special player. I can’t even describe him, I hope he just keeps going like this. He has a great future ahead of him,” says colleague Bukayo Saka about his brilliant teammate. “I think he can become the best midfielder in the world,” enthuses England’s offensive all-rounder Phil Foden. “He’s one of the best youngsters, definitely. A fantastic player. He has everything it takes and he’s a good person,” says Kane.
The captain is ten years older than Bellingham – and otherwise the two protagonists differ quite a bit in terms of career planning. While the midfielder courageously left his country and hometown club Birmingham City at the age of 17 to take the next step in his career in one of the best leagues in the world, Kane is a model of club loyalty and down-to-earthness. The world-class forward has not played for any club other than Tottenham Hotspur since 2004 and is married to his childhood sweetheart Katie and has three children with her. Scandalous lines – as can often be found in his predecessors as captain – simply do not exist with him. He is a member of the Order of the British Empire for his football services to the national team.
England have been traumatized since the Wembley triumph
With the two smart darlings of all mothers-in-law, the greatest trauma in English football is now to be overcome. Since triumphing at the World Cup on home soil in 1966 with the controversial Wembley goal in the final against Germany, the nation has been eagerly awaiting further titles. The only constant after that was the sometimes dramatic failure – like last year, when everything was ready in London for the big party. But despite their own lead through left-back Luke Shaw, the others celebrated again after the game: 2:3 on penalties in the European Championship final against Italy.
It is possible that the Southgate side needed just that painful experience to return to the big football stage stronger than ever. In any case, with the exception of the goalless draw during the preliminary round against the USA, the appearances at the controversial Winter World Cup in the Emirate are good in terms of play and tactics. 12:2 hits before the duel with France document this. With the strong defense and an accurate attack for captain Kane, the coup against France could also succeed. There, with Kylian Mbappé, is perhaps the best individualist in the title fights in the team.
How tried and tested the “Three Lions” are now against disruptive fire from outside and inside has recently been shown twice: First, about a week ago, defender Ben White left the World Cup because he was in a team meeting with assistant coach Steve Holland has overthrown. Then Raheem Sterling was abstinent for a short time and flew home to investigate a burglary in his house. The regular player has been back with the team since Friday – just in time to be there in the next battle against the trauma of an entire football nation.
