Jobe Bellingham takes the Camp Life Quiz

Jobe Bellingham discusses how the Young Lions are bonding over Wolf, his love of reading and pre-match playlists. 

The England men's under-21s midfielder takes the Camp Life Quiz.

What is one essential item you’re packing in your suitcase for a camp?

It’s difficult because you need a lot of things! I’d say whenever I travel, I need my iPad. There are other obvious things but for me, I need to be able to watch stuff. I don’t take my PlayStation, so my iPad. I prefer to watch films. I don’t really watch series – I can’t really stay concentrated! I prefer movies but I need them for the long journeys.

How do you like to spend your downtime on camp?

Getting a coffee usually with some of the lads. I usually just get a latte. I’m not a big coffee drinker. I prefer tea but whenever we’re here, I get a coffee. It’s more for the social really.

Or we’ll play Spy or Wolf or games like that. I think that’s top when you play with your teammates. I think I’m good but I feel even when I’m not the wolf, everyone thinks I’m the wolf. It’s like I’m the first pick and they want to get me out first to make sure it’s not me. I’ve pulled the wool over their eyes so many times but it’s so fun. It’s like Traitors. There are a few players who get the character wolf and they see it on the card and the rest will be villagers and there’ll be a seer. Each night when you go to sleep – obviously you don’t go to sleep, everyone closes their eyes and pretends their asleep – there’s a narrator who tells all these people who have got roles what they’ve got to do each night. The seer can pick someone and see if that’s the wolf and go back to sleep and the wolves can kill people. It helps the team bond!

Who would you sit next to on a plane or bus journey to an England game?

We all kind of have our own seats but I usually I sit next to Jamie [Gittens] or Ethan [Nwaneri]. I get on really well with them. We’ll be playing Spy or Wolf again or just chatting!

What kind of character or personality would you say you are within the group and how would your teammates describe you?

Away from playing the game, I’d say I’m quite laid back. I don’t really take myself that seriously all the time and happy to take the mick out of myself. But around the game and on the pitch, I’m probably a lot more serious and demanding.

What is your favourite meal to eat on camp?

The food here is really good. I’d say the wraps – the chicken wraps are top.

What is your favourite part of training?

Usually when we play a big game. The tactical stuff is good because you get play a prolonged, bigger game. A lot of people like the small-sided games but I like the ones where it’s closer to an actual game.

Talk us through your pre-match routine.

I’m not really superstitious but I’ll listen to music. I don’t have to listen to the same music – I’ll listen to whatever I feel like listening to. The one thing I always try and do on the day of a game at the hotel is read. I’ll read whatever book I’ve got. It’s usually about performance or related to it, helping me concentrate on staying in the present during the game. Just reading in itself – you can read anything – helps you concentrate on something and it helps if you’re interested in what you’re reading. I realised when I was younger, reading kind of mirrors the game in that you’ve got to be focused the entire time and stay present.

What kind of music do you listen to before a game?

Some games, I could be listening to Jay-Z or Jaykae from Birmingham. Just whatever I feel like, as I said. But then I could be listening to something really slow like Sam Cooke even.

Talk us through your post-match routine.

Usually at club, I would do the bike and then ice bath. I do that at training as well, so it’s just a standard thing that I do.

How would you sum up pulling on an England shirt and representing your country?

It’s never lost on me about how special and important it is to see that your name is on the squad sheet. It means so much. The country you’ve grown up in, the country that means so much to you, you’ve got the chance to represent everything you know and have ever known. Not only does it mean that you’re one of the top players in your age across the country but also it means you get to wear the shirt and you’re getting an opportunity that so many people would love to have.

What is your favourite moment during your England career?

I’d say the best is probably yet to come but the chance to play for the under-21s is always a big thing, so probably making your debut. There was a game we played against Portugal last year that was really enjoyable. We played quite well and then being captain and scoring for the under-21s.

What is it like working with Lee Carsley?

He’s so good. Everyone enjoys working with him so much. I think the sign of a top coach is making players comfortable enough to be themselves and that’s not just on the pitch but around the place, every player feels like they can express who they are and not be judged. That’s really important – players feeling like they’re enthusiastic about being here. Then when you’re on the pitch, it makes it a lot easier for you to express your talent which is why you’re here. I think he does that so well. He’s also so open-minded in the way that we actually play, in terms of the style. It’s probably in line with what every fan would want to see, in terms of progressive, entertaining, attacking and expressing yourself. Every player and every fan wants to and dreams of hearing their team play like that.

What is one piece of advice your younger self would’ve given you now you’re in this position, playing for England?

I’d probably say don’t be so hard on yourself. When I was quite young, I was so tough on myself because things aren’t guaranteed to come and I didn’t know if I would be here. It was something that I wanted to do so desperately, to play for England. When it was the first age group for call-ups, I was so eager to be called up and be part of that. I’m thankful that I’ve played at every age group now. Now that I’m here, I can say don’t be so hard on yourself. You still put in the work and you don’t have to berate yourself with critical thinking so much.