Southgate and Ancelotti giving Bellingham the freedom to thrive

Jude Bellingham believes the freedom he is being given by his managers Gareth Southgate and Carlo Ancelotti is helping take his game to new levels.

Bellingham was a standout performer once again as England beat Italy 3-1 at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Tuesday night to book their place at UEFA EURO 2024.

The 20-year-old was a driving force from midfield and also played his part in helping to lift the crowd inside Wembley.

It was Bellingham’s runs which earned the penalty for Harry Kane’s equaliser and also Marcus Rashford’s goal which put his team in front.

The top-tier performance continues an exceptional start to the season for the former Stourbridge Juniors player, with the midfielder scoring ten goals in ten appearances for Real Madrid since his big-money move in the summer.

Another masterclass from Jude Bellingham tonight 🔥🦁#C4Football | #ENGITA | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/fM3xwU8ffU

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) October 17, 2023

"I am loving football at the minute,” Bellingham said.

“My management at club and country are giving me the freedom to play it how I see it.

"Since the last few months, I have been really working on my timing getting into the box and as I am arriving, I am arriving with a big hunger.

"With the big transfer, the fact is I have to deliver, whether it is a goal or assist or a match-winning performance.”

Bellingham was speaking during Channel 4’s coverage of the match and former England star Joe Cole joked about the youngster hopefully coming to the Premier League in the future.

He replied: "It is the club I want to be at for the next ten to 15 years of my life. I am loving it there. Carlo [Ancelotti] basically said this position is where he sees me.

"When you are around those mentalities and quality of players every day… it takes you to a new level mentally, physically and technically."

Brilliant tonight, @BellinghamJude 🔥

Your England Player of the Match connected by @EE! pic.twitter.com/EOfi7dDX9Q

— England (@England) October 17, 2023

England went into the match with Italy knowing a draw would be enough to book their place at next summer’s EURO in Germany but the Three Lions clearly had the intention of securing all three points from the very off, even though they went behind to Gianluca Scamacca’s goal.

The 3-1 win means Southgate’s men have topped the group with two games to spare, with Malta and North Macedonia lying in wait next month.

And Bellingham said: “It was a really good night for us. We all remember what happened a few years ago when they played us here [in the EURO final]. You always aim for progression and we are heading in the right direction and it was a very important win for us.”