Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham can be the ‘X factor’ for England at the Euros | OneFootball

We have just under 24 hours until Gareth Southgate announces his preliminary squad for the Euros this summer in Germany, and one man who is certain to have his ticket booked, barring any Injury, is Jude Bellingham.

The Real Madrid wonderkid is likely to be the first name on the team sheet for England, where he will look to take the Three Lions one step further than they managed in 2021.

Some words of admiration came today from an England icon from a previous generation; Alan Shearer, who had high praise for the 20-year-old.

“He could be the X-factor when you look at what he has achieved,” Shearer told PA Sports, as reported in The Independent.

“When you think of going to the might of Real Madrid and playing in that stadium and the pressure you are under for someone so young, you have to use that as an advantage,” he added with regards to the pressure players can feel when playing for England.

Bellingham has managed 23 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, but hasn’t quite had the same output for England so far, with only one goal and one assist in six matches in 2024.

Regardless of his output, he has still had an impressive impact on the performances of Southgate’s men, and his presence in the national team has led many England fans to believe this year could be the year their fortunes begin to turn.

GSFN | Ciaran Currie