Jude Bellingham believes England should be going to Germany to win the European Championship after securing their place in next summer’s tournament.
Goals from Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford secured a comeback victory over Italy that clinched qualification for the finals of Euro 2024 in Germany. Bellingham played a starring role in the success, setting up Kane’s first goal from the penalty spot and also assisting Rashford’s strike.
“I think we have the ability and the talent to really push ourselves and we should be looking at winning it next year,” said Bellingham. “It is a long season. We have two camps, so hopefully I have a few more games in an England shirt before we go [to the Euros]. Now I am making my way into the team as an important player and it’s about continuing my momentum with Real [Madrid] and keeping the momentum and then, hopefully, coming into the Euros off a good season.”
Manager Gareth Southgate warned England’s rivals that there is more to come from his side, having completed a qualifying double over Italy, and insisted he and his team must accept being considered one of the favourites in Germany.
“We need to make sure we are one of the top seeds next month,” said Southgate. “We need to win our next two games. We want to be in control of that. We need to keep building. There is more to come from this team. This was the toughest qualifying group, with the seedings. People have criticised us for not beating the top teams enough.
“The reality is we are going to be one of the teams capable of winning. There are others. It is very strong, you only have to look through the top 10 European nations and on any one night one can beat another. We are comfortable with that.”
Bellingham left the Wembley pitch to a standing ovation with the Beatles hit Hey Jude played over the loud speakers at full time.
“I am loving football at the minute,” said Bellingham. “My management at club and country are giving me freedom to play it how I see it. With the big transfer the fact is I have to deliver, whether it is a goal or assist or a match-winning performance.”
On his improvement at Real, Bellingham added: “This is the club I want to be at for the next 10-15 years of my life. I am loving it there. Carlo [Ancelotti, the Real manager] basically said this position is where he sees me. When you are around those mentalities and quality of players every day … it takes you to a new level mentally, physically and technically.”
Phillips: I was lucky not to get sent off
Kane has now scored 61 goals for England, with 24 of them coming at Wembley, which is a record ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton.
“I love playing here at Wembley,” said Kane. “I love playing for England full stop. To do it here at home is always special, to perform in front of our fans, to wear the badge, to lead the boys out, and to score as well is one of the best feelings ever. “I enjoy the records, but we go onto the next one and see how far we can go. I feel like sometimes we make qualifying look easy, so credit to the boys because it’s not. We’ve had one of the toughest groups.”
Kalvin Phillips admitted that he was fortunate not to be sent off during the success over Italy and suggested he could look to leave Manchester City in January to make sure he is part of England’s squad next summer.
“I kicked myself when I made that challenge, I knew it was going to be a yellow card,” said Phillips. “It is probably a lack of minutes at club level. I was maybe lucky not to get sent off. “I want to be playing as much as possible but I haven’t done that for a year and a half. I always try to make sure I am ready for whatever comes. I want minutes, I want to go to the Euros. We will see what happens.”
