Excitement Builds as Jude Bellingham Joins England Squad Ahead of Euro 2024
As the England squad prepares for their Euro 2024 campaign, manager Gareth Southgate expressed his excitement over the addition of midfielder Jude Bellingham. Bellingham recently won the Champions League with Real Madrid, and his presence is expected to have a positive impact on the team. However, Southgate made it clear that the responsibility of lifting the squad does not solely rest on Bellingham’s shoulders.
While speaking about Bellingham’s potential influence, Southgate stated, “I’m sure he will, but it is not his responsibility to do that. We’ve got a lot of good players, and it is a collective effort to try and win this tournament.” Southgate emphasized the importance of the team’s collective mentality and acknowledged that Bellingham’s strong mindset will undoubtedly contribute to the group as a whole.
Bellingham’s success in his first season in Spain cannot be ignored. Named La Liga player of the season, he scored an impressive 19 goals to help Real Madrid secure the league title with a comfortable 10-point lead. This outstanding performance undoubtedly caught the attention of Southgate and further solidified Bellingham’s place in the squad.
Despite a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Iceland in their final warm-up match, Southgate had praise for two other young players in his squad. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka made a substitute appearance, showcasing his skills after missing a significant portion of England’s recent training. Additionally, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer received his fourth cap after an exceptional season with his club.
Reflecting on Saka’s inclusion, Southgate said, “It was also good to get Bukayo on the pitch. He has missed a lot of the training, and we needed to see him out there as well.” As for Palmer, Southgate commended his performance and highlighted his ability to create dangerous opportunities, despite perhaps taking an extra touch on a couple of occasions.
England’s Euro 2024 campaign kicks off against Serbia on Sunday, 16 June, in Gelsenkirchen. The team will be hoping to put the recent defeat behind them and start the tournament on a positive note. With the addition of Bellingham and the talented young players in the squad, England has a strong chance of making a mark in the competition.