Kieran Trippier has backed England’s core young players to deliver success for Gareth Southgate, with the Newcastle full-back describing Jude Bellingham as a “scary” talent.
The Three Lions can secure their place at Euro 2024 with victory over Italy in their qualifying clash at Wembley on Tuesday night, four days removed from a narrow friendly win over Australia.
England top Group C after picking four wins and a draw from their five qualifiers to date, with victories over Italy and Ukraine in a March double-header pivotal to their success.
Bellingham has emerged as one of England‘s key players over the past year and has also made a tremendous impact at Real Madrid after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old has bagged ten goals in his first ten outings from midfield, pulling the 14-time Champions League winners through a number of tight games.
The former Birmingham City graduate is perceived by many to currently be the best midfielder in the world, and Trippier sees no reason why he can’t be the difference maker for England for years to come.
“If you play well there in Madrid, the fans will love you. It’s no surprise to me how he’s started there because Jude is frightening,” Trippier said. “Jude did unbelievable at Dortmund. He’s taken that experience with him. You see he’s playing with a freedom and the players around him are going to make his standards get even better. The most scary thing is he’s only 20 years old. He can be the difference.
“But if you look throughout the whole team, from 2018 to now we’ve taken massive steps.
Trippier also pointed to the fact that Southgate has other emerging options ready to step up in the big moments, with each experience of playing at the highest level only aiding England’s progress.
“We lost in the Euros final, but the most important thing is we’re progressing, we’re doing very well. We’ve got players who can change games, we’ve got goals from all over the pitch,” he continued.
“Jude, Madders (James Maddison), obviously Bukayo (Saka), Phil (Foden), they can change games in certain moments. They’re still young. Representing England is a big thing but these guys are playing at the top level.”
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