Gareth Southgate issues demand to England stars after making example of Jude Bellingham

Gareth Southgate has told his big-name England stars they will have to take their turn at being match winners if they want to win the Euros.

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham stole the show in England’s victory over Serbia as the Three Lions made a winning start to their campaign. Bellingham was sensational as he scored, was man of the match and helped put England in pole position to reach the knock-out stages from Group C.

But it was a frustrating night for Harry Kane who drew a blank while Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold were also left in the shade. But Southgate made it clear he has no doubts that all of them can play a huge part in England’s Euros campaign and says previous winning teams have always shared the glory.

England boss Southgate said: “I don’t think you’re ever going to play a match where every player … not every player can star in every game. What’s important is that different people pop up with the moments like Jude did.

“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.”

‌Kane only had two touches of the ball in the first half and was then denied a late goal by a sensational save from Serbia keeper Predrag Rajkovic. But Southgate praised Kane’s overall performance and admitted that Bellingham and other players tend to occupy the space that England’s captain normally takes up.

Jude Bellingham

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‌England face Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday and victory would really strengthen the mood and optimism in the camp. Southgate added: “I thought second-half he did an incredible job holding the ball up, the number of fouls that he won, got his body across well. There isn’t space in that front line for everybody to be on the ball in every moment.

“In the first-half Bukayo Saka was obviously prominent. Jude was prominent. Trent and Phil had moments. So Harry didn’t get as much of the ball but in the second half his performance was absolutely crucial to us getting the win.”

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