Hey Jude: Bellingham's return to England indispensability

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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. It seems ludicrous now to think that there was even a debate as to whether Bellingham would be in England's World Cup team at all. Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals - he's arguably been one of the best players of the tournament. Four goals plus an excellent assist for Harry Kane's goal in the 2-0 win over Panama has had England's supporters serenading the 23-year-old here in the USA. Of course, he is used to the adulation. It is no surprise that Bellingham finds himself in the position he does today - his route to the top was predicted by those in the game when he burst on to the scene in 2019. Bellingham made his debut for hometown club Birmingham City aged 16 years and 38 days in August 2019. He became the Blues' youngest ever player, breaking club legend Trevor Francis' record set in 1970. A Premier League scouting report from that game suggests the midfielder's talent was quickly apparent, acknowledging his "great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate". But it was Bellingham's technical skills that really caught the scout's attention - his ability to carry the ball away from pressure and find space by getting between the lines or pulling wide. The report recommended the undisclosed Premier League club immediately sign Bellingham, loan him out and then bring him into their senior squad in 18 months' time. 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 Bellingham's number 22 shirt, with the teenager having played just 44 times for the club. Bellingham scored on his debut for Dortmund, claiming the second goal in a 5-0 win over Duisburg in the German Cup. 'He's just wonderful': The pride of Bellingham's home town Published11 hours agoEngland set for open-air Miami heat - but do Norway hold the edge? Published13 hours agoFast-track to senior international squadIt 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 brilliant display in Germany's domestic league. Yet Southgate restricted him to just three substitute appearances at the delayed Euro 2020, where England reached the final. On reflection, Southgate carefully managed Bellingham's early steps into international football. And Southgate's number two Steve Holland, according to well-placed sources, was a key figure behind Bellingham's transition into the squad, particularly regarding the defensive aspects of his game. But by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Southgate and Holland could not hold Bellingham back any longer. Bellingham's headed opener in the 6-2 win over Iran was his first at senior international level. There have been nine more goals since. With Bellingham's strong performances came a swagger - a trait that can divide opinion. At Euro 2024, Bellingham had been a Real Madrid player for almost a year - a Galactico who had scored 19 goals for his La Liga and Champions League-winning club. Bellingham was given leeway to skip tournament media duties, certainly with the English press, that other players had to undertake, all while filming his own multi-part documentary. It raised eyebrows. It also did not go unnoticed that immediately after the final whistle of England's loss against Spain at the Euro 2024 final Bellingham isolated himself away from the rest of squad. His overhead kick equaliser during the dying seconds of England's last-16 win over Slovakia was one of the moments of the tournament. Bellingham's now iconic 'who else' celebration showcased his oozing self-confidence - but provided another example of the 'main character syndrome' that Southgate and some of the players had begun to notice. Fast-forward to today and Real Madrid have not won La Liga or the Champions League since 2023. Amid the off-field turmoil at the club, Bellingham has not been able to match the form or prolific goalscoring of that glorious first season. He's also had a few injuries, with shoulder surgery meaning he missed the start of the season. Thomas Tuchel, perhaps as a result of English being his second language, caused a media stir last summer when the new England head coach said his mother viewed some of Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "a bit repulsive". The comment created a lot of headlines - and did not go down well with those close to Bellingham.

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Original Source: BBC Sport