England midfielder Jordan Henderson has come to the defence of his teammate Jude Bellingham, stating that he finds recent media criticism of the 22-year-old 'hard to read'. Henderson, a seasoned international returning to the England fold under manager Thomas Tuchel, emphasised Bellingham's crucial role and unique contribution to the squad ahead of their World Cup campaign.
While Bellingham's talent and ability are widely acknowledged, his on-pitch demeanour has occasionally drawn scrutiny. Henderson, who shares a close relationship with the Real Madrid star, passionately advocated for Bellingham, highlighting his significant influence both on and off the pitch. The Brentford midfielder, who is the first Englishman to be selected for seven major tournaments, believes Bellingham possesses the 'X factor' that could prove decisive for England this summer.
Speaking on Bellingham's impact, Henderson remarked, "I honestly couldn’t speak highly enough of him. I know a lot gets written in the media and I find it hard to read sometimes, because I just know how big an influence he is on this team, how good a team-mate he is off the field. What he gives us is just something really special. I think he really gives us the X factor in our team." He further praised Bellingham's maturity and experience in high-stakes matches, noting his previous tournament appearances.
Bellingham is a central figure in discussions surrounding England's starting line-up, particularly for the No. 10 position, where he is competing with close friend Morgan Rogers. Despite being only 22, this marks Bellingham's fourth major tournament, underscoring his rapid ascent in international football. Henderson also highlighted Bellingham's positive influence within the camp, citing an instance where the younger midfielder looked after training players during their warm-weather camp in Florida.
The mutual respect between the two players is evident, with Bellingham previously defending Henderson's inclusion in Tuchel’s World Cup squad. He dismissed critics as not understanding the dynamics of the team, asserting that Henderson, likely to feature as a substitute, acts as a vital unifying force within the group. Henderson echoed this sentiment, stressing the collective responsibility for fostering a positive team culture, a factor he believes has significantly strengthened under the current manager.
England is set to kick off their World Cup journey with their Group L opener against Croatia on Wednesday. The squad's pre-camp preparations have reportedly gone well, with Henderson expressing satisfaction with the team's current morale and readiness for the tournament.