DANNY MURPHY: The last thing England should do is douse the fire in Bellingham

  /  autty

Part of Jude Bellingham’s make-up is that he plays on the edge in every single game — be it a Champions League final or international friendly.

Thomas Tuchel can suggest he becomes smarter in picking his fights but the last thing the England manager wants to do is douse the fire in Jude that has already led to so much success.

Every sportsman has their own personality and you certainly wouldn’t want to turn Bellingham into Roger Federer — it just wouldn’t work.

Seeing Bellingham frustrated with team-mates and officials reminds me of a young Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard.

They also had incredibly high expectations of themselves, and everyone else, when they walked on to the pitch.

At 21, he will learn there are moments when it’s better to take things on the chin rather than give officials a decision to make.

While I understand people would have been taken aback by his anger at having a goal disallowed against Senegal, I found it fascinating he cared so much when there was relatively little riding on the game.

I believe it’s that mentality that has made Bellingham a Champions League winner and the most important player in the England team.

When he feels the world is against him, it improves his performances. Despite the loss of discipline at full time at the City Ground, we mustn’t judge Bellingham too harshly — and lose what makes him special.

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