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Jude Bellingham says England layers need to 'feel loved'

Jude Bellingham says England layers need to 'feel loved'

Jude Bellingham has insisted England players need to "feel loved" and "part of the team".

The 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is hoping the Three Lions will embark on a positive campaign when they face Croatia next Wednesday (17.06.26), having finished runners-up to Spain at Euro 2024 and being criticised for their performances under Gareth Southgate at the time.

Speaking on England's Lions' Den show he, he said: "I don't feel like the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons.

"Expectation was part of it - we had done well in 2018 and done well in Qatar [for the 2022 World Cup] and when it came to that tournament we were seen as one of two or three teams that should win it.

"We were not playing particularly well so even when we were winning you didn't get the feeling you were as happy as you should be.

"There has to be that element of relentless and wanting to win but it is the nature of football that wins go out of the system quickly and we should hold on to that moment a little more.

"I think this time round having those experiences... and knowing, for example, that the guy who scores the winning goal in the World Cup final isn't always the one you'd bet your house on so you've always got to be ready, everyone's got to feel loved and feel a huge part of the team. The other thing is just to enjoy it."

His England teammate Morgan Rogers, who recently won the Europa League with Aston Villa, insisted the England World Cup squad is "really aligned".

He added: "We are really aligned and it is really easy and seamless for anyone to fit in the group.

"Wherever you are from, wherever you play, ages - it doesn't matter in this group. It is a joy to be here."

Meanwhile, England boss Thomas Tuchel recently admitted Bellingham will have to fight for his place in the starting XI, having favoured Rogers in the number 10 position.

He said: "Yes, he has [a fight on his hands].

"He is one of the starters, he knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters.

"These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them."

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