Why Jude Bellingham looks England’s captain in waiting after outstanding Qatar 2022 World Cup

Bellingham’s maturity with his feet is matched only by his mentality, seen in those seconds after Harry Kane skied the ball high into the Al Bayt Stadium stands from the penalty spot. Around Kane, French players celebrated wildly, while many in white turned their backs in utter disappointment and walked away. Immediately, Bellingham, the 19-year-old at his first World Cup, sprinted over to England’s captain, offering comforting words and an arm around the shoulder, urging him to regroup for the final few minutes.

This may be the moment we reflect on in years to come. Here was an inevitable changing of the guard. Bellingham, at such a tender age, already carries himself with the authority of a leader. He is still a teenager, but already a role model. Writing in The Times, Adam Lallana said that he suggested his ten-year-old son study Bellingham just as much in interviews as games.

Bellingham found the right words for Kane and then felt compelled to front up in the glare of the world’s media after England’s elimination was confirmed.

“I do feel like it’s a bit of a missed chance,” Bellingham said. “But, as everyone kept reminding me while I was on the pitch, there’s more to come. But it’s hard to see that at the minute, if I’m being honest. You never know when I’m going to get the chance to play with such a good group of lads again in an England shirt. I just hope we can use this experience going forward.”

Softening the pain for many is an optimism that England’s future is bright given the age of influential individuals. Bellingham will be 23 years old at the next World Cup. Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Reece James, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka are among a group that will hit football’s typically optimum age of 25 to 27. Even those on the periphery, such as Jadon Sancho and Emile Smith Rowe, will be within that bracket.

But while England’s talent pool may be deep in those midfield attacking areas, exploring elsewhere is a shallow search. Kane will be 33 years old when the World Cup returns and there is no natural successor. Is Kane capable of still going at 33? Can Ivan Toney’s rise continue? Will Marcus Rashford move to centre forward? None are certain.

England’s route to the last four in 2018, and then the Euro 2020 final last year, was led by Kane’s goals. He was the Golden Boot winner in Russia and England’s top scorer during the Euros. Five of their 13 goals in Qatar came courtesy of Kane, leaving with three assists and two goals.

Before the tournament began, frailties were expected to be found in England’s defence. Question marks hung over Harry Maguire’s presence in the squad and whether Gareth Southgate’s back line was good enough to play without the protection of three centre halves, as they had over the past four years. Maguire performed well in Qatar and John Stones was almost impeccable.

Both will be well into their thirties when the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico comes round. Italy are the only team since the turn of the century to win the World Cup with a centre-back pairing over the age of 30.

Ben White is the only central defender in the squad who will still be under 30 by 2026. Likely to also be in the frame are Marc Guehi, 22, and Fikayo Tomori, 24, who have both been involved in recent squads and impressed at club level.

Of course there will be unexpected surprises in four years’ time. Only six of the 11 players that started against Croatia in the semi-final four years ago featured against France. Two of which, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard, were widely anticipated to play a leading role for years to come.

Bellingham will surely not follow them by the wayside. In Qatar, no England player made as many tackles, won possession as many times or completed as many dribbles. Bellingham represents England’s evolution. The worry will be that what surrounds him in four years time isn’t as talented.

Future prospects may come from the most famous academies yet few will share the same experiences as the boy from Birmingham City, where defeat was not uncommon in his journey. Bouncing back was often the task. Bellingham already carries the air of an experienced professional.

He knew what Kane needed to hear. He knew what the country needed to hear. A sure sign of leadership. How England line up and who stands in the dugout in four years remains unclear, yet there is an obvious candidate for captain should the vacancy arise.

– The Times

Originally published as Why Jude Bellingham looks England’s captain in waiting after outstanding Qatar 2022 World Cup