Bellingham ready to step up as a leader: "So be it"

Real Madrid's new star Jude Bellingham gave an interview to 'PA Media' in which he gave his opinion on the current form of the England team and admitted that he is ready to become a "leader" within the team led by Gareth Southgate.

"When times are tough and when the chips are down, really, I feel like that’s when you really see what your leaders are made of. I’m always thinking about how I can help the team and if that’s being a leader then so be it," he said.

For his part, Bellingham highlighted the role of the squad's key players, such as Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson: "I wouldn’t say they shield us, but they definitely help us kind of understand the pressure and know when to kind of put us in it and take us out of it and keep us level-headed.

“I think everyone at the set-up does a great job of easing everyone in and, like I said, making us all feel comfortable when we go into games, especially big ones," added Bellingham, who will miss the games against Malta and Macedonia through injury.

Finally, the young midfielder highlighted the work of the coach: "I think England as a country are famous for kind of getting carried away, if you like, with players, with teams. You know, they like to put a lot of pressure on people early. I feel like I’m starting to get that now. And I do believe I can handle it but it’s also Gareth being aware that he has to manage it as well as part of his job.