Jude Bellingham: England star explains squad struggles at Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate - 'I don't feel like the group connected'
Updated 12/06/2026 at 15:57 GMT+1
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Jude Bellingham admitted that the England squad were ”not quite connected” during Euro 2024 but insisted there is a different feeling in camp for the World Cup.
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The World Cup kicked off on Thursday evening, as co-hosts Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a red card laden affair, before South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1.
Ahead of England’s opener against Croatia in Texas next Wednesday, Bellingham said the Three Lions need to ”feel loved”.
The Real Madrid midfielder was part of the England side that stumbled its way to the Euro 2024 final, attracting criticism for their performances throughout despite reaching the showpiece match.
"At the Euros we got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch," Bellingham told Andrew Mensah on England's Lions' Den show.
"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.
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"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."
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who will compete with Bellingham for the No. 10 position at the World Cup, stressed that Thomas Tuchel’s squad felt ”really aligned” ahead of their opener.
"We are really aligned and it is really easy and seamless for anyone to fit in the group,” Rogers said.
"Wherever you are from, wherever you play, ages - it doesn't matter in this group. It is a joy to be here."
Bellingham lauds Henderson impact
Eyebrows were raised when Tuchel made a spate of notable omissions to his squad for the World Cup.
There was also surprise that 35-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson was called up.
However, Bellingham says people who doubt Henderson's importance to the squad "don’t have a clue what they are talking about".
"He is the funniest guy at the camp and he gets everyone laughing and together," Bellingham said about Henderson.
"If there is ever any issue and you think, ‘I’m 22, maybe it’s a bit too much for me to go and address’, he will do it for you. If there is a problem between two people, he will bring them together. He’s that kind of person.
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England midfielder Jordan Henderson is part of the World Cup squad
Image credit: Getty Images
"Even the staff will go to him to sort out issues. He has no ego when it comes to supporting the team. Every day in training he is relentless in wanting to be better and push everyone else."
England's Morgan Rogers added: "He is the best guy I have ever come across in football. If people did a blind ranking before the camp of people they would want there, he would in everybody’s top five."
Tuchel stressed before the tournament that team ”chemistry” was central to his selection decisions.
”Everything I know and hear about international football is that it is about the team and the chemistry,” Tuchel said.
”What we are trying to achieve this summer can only be achieved as a team. We hopefully have a long time together and we are together 24/7.
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”A lot of thinking went into these ‘soft’ factors, getting the chemistry right. It is important each player knows their role and we picked a very balanced squad.
”Players feel the love and trust of their coach and if there are doubts, you don’t play to the same level. In the end, it comes down to that. Who do we really trust? Who created a culture, especially from September onwards, who set the standards, who were the leadership group?
"We heavily relied on that. The connection has to be there and you can feel if the energy and chemistry is right. If this really is a brotherhood, the fans will notice and they will see.
”The best group is not necessarily the 26 most talented players. The group and the team will always be the main focus and I hope we have done this in selecting this group. That was the thinking behind it.”
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