Graeme Souness Makes A Big Captaincy Claim About English Midfielder Jude Bellingham
England’s Jude Bellingham (AP)
After witnessing Bellingham turn up for his nation at the Euros, Souness tipped the youngster for the English armband in a couple of years’ time.
Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness has voiced that England’s young sensation Jude Bellingham will become the national team’s captain at the next edition of the FIFA World Cup. Bellingham put up some crucial performances in England’s campaign for the Euro 2024 crown. The 21-year-old’s heroics played a major role as the youngster scored twice and assisted once in seven games to help the team reach the final before eventually losing 1-2 to Spain in the summit clash.
Seeing Bellingham turn up for his nation, Souness said on William Hill’s Three Up Front podcast, as per multiple reports, “In two years’ time Jude Bellingham will be the England captain – he will captain them at the World Cup in 2026.”
While Souness had some words for Bellingham, he was not quite content with England’s senior players. According to the Scotsman, leaders in modern football tend to pull out of sight when addressing media and fans. “I think leaders in the modern game tend to hide. They don’t want to put themselves out there, be held accountable, or stand up and take the blame. The most recent example was at the Euros,” he said.
Speaking further about England’s complicated situation with the media, Souness added, “When England were having a tough time with the media it was Bellingham – one of the youngest members of the group – who was up there talking to them on behalf of the team.”
England striker Harry Kane currently serves as the team’s captain. Bellingham is not lagging in terms of the leadership hierarchy within the team. Within no time, the Real Madrid midfielder has found himself in the leadership group of the Three Lions along with the likes of Kane, Kyle Walker, and Declan Rice. With Kane set to turn 31 on July 28, fans could soon see a shift in captaincy within the squad.
Having signed for Real Madrid last year, Bellingham has already netted 23 goals for the European in 42 appearances. Bellingham completed his move to Real Madrid in June last year having agreed to a six-year deal. Bellingham arrived at Santiago Bernabeu in a deal, reportedly, worth 103 million euros ($111.29 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish giants said, as per Reuters.
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