If the next evolutionary phase of Gareth Southgate’s football is truly upon us then it is Jude Bellingham who is making it possible. At Euro 2020 England lined up with two deep midfielders, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, sitting and protecting the defence.
In Qatar, it is different. Rice is still there, giving others the chance to shine with his efficient passing and positional discipline, but partnering him now is a teenage sensation with the potential to shatter all the accusations of Southgate as too cautious and pragmatic.
