Gareth Southgate has warned England that Jude Bellingham can’t win them the Euros on his own.
And Southgate wants some of his other star names to step up and be counted if the Three Lions are to conquer Europe this summer.
Bellingham’s brilliance sealed a difficult 1-0 win against Serbia in England’s opening Group C clash in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night. The Real Madrid sensation headed home the decisive first half goal, to fire the Three Lions into top spot ahead of Thursday’s clash with Denmark in Frankfurt.
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Bellingham, 20, ran the show from start to finish to enhance his growing reputation as the best young player on the planet. But Southgate insists England cannot become a one man team if they are to stand a chance of winning their first major trophy since 1966.
And Southgate wants the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka to go on and become match winners themselves.
(Image: PA)
Southgate said: “I don’t think you’re ever going to play a match where every player can star in every game. What’s important is that different people pop up with the moments like Jude did (against Serbia).
“When I go through the history of our big games, there’s always been a different match-winner. A different guy to take the headlines – and that’s as it will be if we are going to win a tournament.”
Southgate, meanwhile, gave all of those involved against Serbia the day off on Monday to recover ahead of the second group clash this week.
(Image: UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Of those who got game time against the Serbs, only midfielder Kobbie Mainoo trained with the rest of the squad, while Luke Shaw underwent a private session at the team’s hotel.
The Manchester United left back has not played since damaging his hamstring in February, and is facing a desperate battle to be fit in time to make his comeback against Denmark this week.