Jude Bellingham looks right at home at the top level, extremely comfortable at Real Madrid, but he is proof that you can take the boy out of England, but you cannot take the England out of the boy.For the avoidance of doubt, that is a very good thing.Bellingham was terrific in his team’s chaotic, dramatic, gut-wrenching 3-2 victory over Mexico that clinched a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. He scored two first-half goals and rampaged all over, leading the fight, holding the ball up and helping his team cling on when down to 10 men.He moved to Borussia Dortmund at 17 years old and then to Madrid at 19 but he still plays in a way that endears itself to an English audience. He is a No 10 for Thomas Tuchel this summer but he is not one who thrives in the pockets, not a classic continental playmaker. He plays like the biggest, strongest, fastest kid in the playground. The one two years above you that you just cannot get near.There is something so classically English about that style, the in-your-face quality that stands out to viewers of all tastes. It is ‘Roy of the Rovers’ stuff, the ability to just plough through opponents and do it all yourself, like the old comic-book character used to do.
Jude Bellingham was an all-action hero against Mexico. It was one of the great England performances
He is playing as a No 10 but not in the traditional playmaker style and his run-through-brick-walls approach is clasically English
1,344 words~6 min read
