Jude Bellingham likened to Wayne Rooney & Steven Gerrard as ‘nonsense’ character questions of Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ are addressed by ex-England star

Bellingham is still expected to figure prominently for the Three Lions at next summer’s World Cup, with qualification for that competition almost secured, with shoulder surgery contributing to him being overlooked in September and October selections. The 22-year-old remains a talismanic presence for his country when fit.

Tuchel has, however, previously admitted that his mother finds some of Bellingham’s on-field behaviour "repulsive" - with the German tactician having since apologised for those comments. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager is looking to piece together a settled side that sees everybody pulling in the same direction.

Ex-England and Liverpool star Murphy believes that Bellingham will have a role to play in that system. He is far too good to be left out, with a bit of ego considered to be a good thing when it comes to a ‘Galactico’ on the books at Santiago Bernabeu.

Murphy, speaking in association with online casino BetWright, told GOAL when asked if players of Bellingham’s ilk should be looking to drag others along with him: “Exactly. I played with Rooney in his early England days, I played with Gerrard at Liverpool - they both had that fire, that extra edge to them that put them above everybody else, that belief in themselves. You can interpret it any way you want. I think the only relevant factor when you talk about people like that, young lads that have come on the scene and done what he’s done, it’s what do they produce on the pitch? How does it affect the game and how does it affect him?

“Some people are suggesting that the team would be more cohesive without him in it. It’s just nonsense. We have got lots of good players, of course. I love Morgan Rogers, he has done well the lad from Villa, he has come in and he can play. Cole Palmer, I’m one of his biggest fans but Bellingham, you don’t walk into Real Madrid in your first season and do what he did without having that belief in yourself. I hope, really hope, that he continues with that same attitude and approach because it makes him one of the best players in the world.”

Murphy, who won nine senior caps for England in his playing days, added on the Bellingham character discussion and suggestions that he could disrupt the camp: “I find the narrative around his character and any problems a little bit strange because when I have watched England - I have watched them a lot at tournaments and watched him closely, he is, by far, the best character on the football pitch when England play, in terms of producing big moments, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, leaving everything out there.

“If you could have 11 Jude Bellinghams, you would win most tournaments. The element of not talking to the press or not doing interviews or the odd swear word or rant or a little bit of what some people would call arrogance, that is what creates the player on the pitch. They are just rumours because a lot of the feedback from the players - Jordan Henderson recently said how much he likes him and how great a character he is - I think some of it has been exaggerated.

“From a footballing perspective, we have a much better chance of winning the World Cup if he is in the team. I don’t mean just in the squad, I mean in the team. He is a phenomenal talent. We should be - as pundits, fans, press - building him up, applauding him and being thankful that we have got him, not trying to pull him down because he is the best one we have got. He is the game-changer in our side. He is the one that can make things happen. He’s just a phenomenal player.

“I don’t blame Tuchel for not bringing him back on this particular occasion because he has only played a few minutes for Real Madrid. I understand that and don’t see that as a drama. I don’t see that as a big statement. We are playing two games we should win comfortably - let him get on with his fitness, let him get on with building himself back up. I would be absolutely gobsmacked and amazed if he is, if fit, not in Tuchel’s first XI come the World Cup.”

England eased past Wales in their first outing of the latest international break, with a 3-0 victory being recorded at Wembley without Bellingham being available and all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane nursing a knock.

Tuchel’s side will be back in action against Latvia on Tuesday, with victory in that contest set to secure tickets to the 2026 World Cup. Bellingham and Co will be looking to end a 60-year trophy wait for the England men’s national team at that tournament.