Bellingham 'world class player' and 'what England needs'

As England prepare to face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, two people who played key roles in Jude Bellingham's early career have reflected on his remarkable rise from the West Midlands to the world stage.

Former Birmingham City head coach Pep Clotet, who handed the Stourbridge-born midfielder his senior debut at the age of 16, and family friend Gary Hackett both said Bellingham's performances at the tournament came as little surprise.

Hackett branded Bellingham as a "world class player", while Clotet said the qualities now being admired were already evident when Bellingham broke into Birmingham City's first team in 2019.

"I always said that I never could imagine him having a roof," Clotet said.

Clotet added that Bellingham combined natural ability with an exceptional work ethic and maturity beyond his years.

"Early on he showed that when it comes to focus he was at the same level as everyone else," he said. "He of course had to grow a little more in physicality."

"As soon as he made his debut he made a place for himself on the team.

"He was spot on from day one of the work and he slowly became a big piece in the team," he said.

Asked whether he imagined Bellingham would go on to become one of the world's best players, Clotet said his former midfielder always possessed the qualities needed to reach the highest level.

"It's fantastic, because I'm part of that group of people who worked with him on a very special moment in his career.

"He is what England needs, a player who can take leadership and who has this desire to compete stronger on the important games.

Hackett, who managed and played alongside Jude's father, Mark Bellingham, remembered seeing the future England star around local football pitches long before he entered Birmingham City's academy.

"My early memories are seeing Jude going to football games with his dad and playing in the park from a very young age."

Hackett said: "It's absolutely brilliant seeing Jude where he is now."

"It is remarkable for such a young man to have that kind of attitude and he has showed that he's a world class player, and he's up there with the best.

"Providing he remains injury free he'll go on breaking records."

With England bidding to reach the semi-finals, both Clotet and Hackett believe Bellingham will be central to the team's hopes of lifting the World Cup.

"We could certainly go as far as anybody, we're capable of beating Norway, and we're certainly capable of beating Argentina, so the final for me is definitely something we could achieve," Hackett said.

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