Jude Bellingham reflects on England’s shortcomings at the Euros
Jude Bellingham has shared what England got wrong at the European Championships in 2024, as the Three Lions star looks ahead to their opening match against Croatia, reports BritPanorama.
England reached the finals at the Euros, only to lose to Spain, a tournament which ultimately led to Sir Gareth Southgate’s resignation as manager.
Thomas Tuchel, now at the helm, has emphasised the importance of fostering a “brotherhood” within the squad, a sentiment echoed by Bellingham, who noted the players struggled to form a close bond during the last tournament. “At the Euros I think we got a few things wrong off the pitch; I don’t feel the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons,” he told the Lions’ Den.
Bellingham, who played a pivotal role for England during the tournament, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “When it came to the tournament, we were seen as one of two or three teams that could win it. We weren’t playing well, which doesn’t help. Even when we were winning, we didn’t get the feeling that we were as happy as we should be.”
He remembers a critical moment during a last-16 match against Slovakia, where his last-minute overhead kick sent the game into extra time. “I still remember how I was feeling at the time. It always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable because it was such a bad situation,” he added.
Bellingham is currently competing for the number 10 position in the squad against teammate Morgan Rogers. He described Rogers as “a top guy” who fosters good camaraderie despite the competitive nature of their positions on the team. “As a person, he can get along with anyone, can have conversations with anyone,” Bellingham said, but added, “We have debates that turn into arguments a lot. But we get on like brothers, to be fair.”
With their World Cup campaign set to kick off on June 17 against Croatia, the dynamics within the squad will be crucial. “The manager has made it very clear…that we are playing for the same position,” Bellingham noted, affirming that the competition is part of a larger strategy for success.
As England prepares for the tournament, the lessons learned from the Euros and the renewed focus on unity could prove pivotal in their quest for glory. The recent emphatic 6-0 victory against Miami FC in a closed-doors friendly may offer a glimpse of potential, but the real test awaits on the world stage.
In football, as in life, a team often rides the waves of both victory and defeat. It will be interesting to see if England’s resolve has been strengthened enough to navigate the highs and lows that come with global competition.
