Forward-thinking Jude can make an impact in Qatar

WHATEVER players say, the first international after a long club season can lead to a little switch-off. It wasn’t a surprise to me England looked a bit lethargic in the heat of Budapest. I expect them to be sharper against Germany and Italy in the next week.

Gareth Southgate will still have learned things, not least the best way to utilise Jude Bellingham. For him to even be considered as an England player at 18 is phenomenal. He’s already gained more experience in the game than many footballers in their twenties.

Even so, the match showed me that Bellingham’s best position isn’t as a holding midfielder in a 3-4-3. He can pass the ball but his natural instinct is to get forward and use his athleticism and creativity rather than sit in front of the defence set up play for others.

When Southgate reverted to a backfour later on and Bellingham was able to play as an eight in a three-man midfield, he became more alive and was one of the few I saw who wanted to make things happen. He had a shot blocked and made a couple of late runs into the penalty area, Frank Lampard-style, but unfortunately wasn’t found.

Only one teenager this century has started an opening World Cup game for England, Raheem Sterling in 2014.

That shows how hard it will be for Bellingham and I suspect Southgate will begin with the tried and trusted Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Mason Mount in Qatar. There is no shame in that for the teenager and he’s more than capable of making an impact if he is called up during the tournament.

At his age, it’s inevitable Bellingham will have some games in which he looks brilliant, and others where he has less influence. Longer-term, I have no doubt he will be phenomenal and an England regular. It’s just a big ask for him to achieve that by November.

You have to remember he is still younger than Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips were when the 2018 World Cup took place. They weren’t in Southgate’s plans at all at that stage.

Bellingham may have a couple of years in and out of the England team but after that he’ll be a cornerstone. He has shown at Borussia Dortmund he has the mentality to cope with pressure.

It’s always important to recognise a player’s strengths. When I played with Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, he enjoyed smashing into tackles as much as setting up goals. It made him a natural boxto-box midfielder.

Bellingham is different, he prefers getting forward and making things happen, not being in a deep position where he is restricted.

I’ve always preferred Southgate’s England in a 4-3-3 because that is the formation most of his players are comfortable with from their clubs. The Hungary defeat hasn’t changed my mind. I wasn’t surprised we switched from the backthree after falling behind.

There are only five internationals left before the World Cup and I think it’s going to be difficult for anyone to make a late run now into the squad. It doesn’t mean squad players can’t become starters during a tournament however.