Can Bellingham become England's superstar once more at the World Cup?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Jude Bellingham provided an iconic England moment, scoring with an overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024. By Phil McNulty Chief football writer in Dallas Published 1 hour ago When Jude Bellingham uttered the words "who else?" in the direction of England's supporters after sparing them a humiliating exit with a spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024, no-one even thought to argue. Bellingham's acrobatics – with the clock at Gelsenkirchen reading 94 minutes 34 seconds – became an iconic moment as his stunning equaliser set up a 2-1 win after extra time in the last 16. England suffered familiar disappointment when losing to Spain in the final in Berlin, but Bellingham's status as the team's golden boy seemed assured. Instead, two years on at the World Cup, Bellingham's star has not exactly fallen but it has certainly dimmed. Bellingham will face Croatia in England's World Cup opener in Dallas on Wednesday intent on putting his international career in the ascendant once more after appearing to win the battle with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. And, after tough love from England head coach Thomas Tuchel, Bellingham's World Cup build-up has appeared to be that of a player on a mission for glory, a special talent who can be a key figure in their quest to win the World Cup. Tuchel's strict refusal to operate a star system, as well as the emergence of Aston Villa's outstanding Rogers, has made Bellingham's place the subject of intense debate, a notion unthinkable after Euro 2024. So turn the phrase "who else?" back towards Bellingham - the "who else?" in his England world became boyhood friend Rogers and a single-minded head coach without a care for reputations and status. The relationship between player and coach has occasionally appeared fragile, with Tuchel apologising after revealing his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "repulsive" following the friendly loss at home to Senegal last June. Tuchel, whose brutal honesty can sometimes be unfiltered, admitted he used the word "unintentionally" – but then created a further stir by leaving Bellingham out of England's squad for the friendly at home to Wales and the World Cup qualifier away to Latvia last October, even though the Real Madrid star wanted to be included after recovering from shoulder surgery. Get England updates live on your lock screen Published 9 June We need to feel love playing for England - Bellingham Published 5 days ago Bellingham, but no Guehi - England's expected team Published 4 days ago Image source, Getty Images Image caption, England head coach Thomas Tuchel's relationship with Jude Bellingham has not always run smoothly. Bellingham's interrupted England career, through shoulder and hamstring injuries as well being left out of the squad by Tuchel, is reflected in the statistic that he has only made nine starts in the 20 games they have played