Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEmile Heskey believes that Jude Bellingham is destined to help England men end their long wait for a major trophy.Bellingham was England's leading light at this summer's World Cup, earning a place in the team of the tournament and coming third in the voting for the Golden Ball.Having only turned 23 midway through the tournament, Bellingham still has several more opportunities to inspire his country to glory, and Heskey only wishes that he could have shared the pitch with him,Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List"Someone who wanted to lead by example, someone who wanted to stand up and be counted"Heskey told FourFourTwo: For someone who got a lot of stick going into the tournament, people saying Bellingham shouldnt be picked and blah, blah, blah... he was the one who took every single game by the scruff of the neck.He was number 10, and what do we say about number 10s? Oh, they play number 10 because theyre lazy. You may like HENRY WINTER: Jude Bellingham is England's next captain and he proved it in 20 minutes - because of course he did Henry Winters England dispatch from MetLife Stadium 'This was a reminder of the importance of Jude Bellingham and the ridiculousness of his harshest critics' Paul Gascoigne reveals which England star has impressed him "But he was the one running back, tackling, then driving with the ball. He was the one doing everything. Someone who wanted to lead by example, someone who wanted to stand up and be counted."Not all players are like that, not all are built like that. A lot just want to be part of the team and blend in.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.He doesnt want to blend in, he wants to stand out and he stood out with how many goals at the World Cup, seven? Unreal.People were pointing a finger at him saying he was this and he was that. If he wasnt that, wed be pointing a finger and saying Hes dull, he needs to be a leader. Then hes a leader, and we point at something else. Well win stuff with him. Hes a winner.As a team-mate, its very inspiring to play with someone like him. Do you know why? Because inevitably, everyone will be looking at everyone else. Ill be looking at you and saying Are you going to do it?, and youll be looking at someone else and saying I hope he does it."It needs someone to just go: Im going to do it I dont need to say anything, Ill just go and do it. Then everyone will follow you. It takes some balls to do that at 23.He doesnt need the armband - hell go and do it anyway. If you need him to wear it, he will, but he doesnt need to wear it to show you hes a leader.Thats why you put a team together. You dont put a team together with the same personalities. You put a team together with some who are going to be grafters, and sometimes with someone whos going to cause problems with what they say and how they say it, but its to get the best out of everyone.TOPICSJude BellinghamEmile HeskeyEnglandReal MadridWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
