Harry Silvester

When in Rome do as the Romans do

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Jude Bellingham, some thoughts. Crazy that this has to be emphasised again but here we go again. Bellingham will be a vital player for England at the World Cup. Mad that this has to be spelled out again. Bellingham is England’s reigning Player of the Year, voted Player of the Match in their last game, in their five-man leadership group, rescued England at Euro 2024, closes on a half-century of caps at 22 and will soon pass Colin ‘Nijinsky’ Bell, Sir Geoff Hurst and Glenn Hoddle on the England appearance list.

While a teenager, Bellingham was named Bundesliga Player of the Season at Borussia Dortmund. He now starts for Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappe, has won La Liga and the Champions League and been named La Liga Player of the Year. We should be proud that English football has produced a special talent (hat tip to Birmingham City) who’s gone abroad and now stars for the biggest club in the world. Bellingham shines in a Real spotlight that can feel like a real searchlight to some.

For clubs and country, Bellingham embraces pressure in challenging games. He’s going to be a hugely important player for England at the World Cup because he’s gifted, possesses a big-game mentality, and, also like Harry Kane, will have enjoyed a winter break so should be fresher.

I’ve been fortunate to cover England at 15 tournaments. I’ve seen pile-ons on Barnes, Gascoigne, Beckham, Rooney, Sterling and Rashford, when objective criticism crosses the line into hounding. It’s happening with Bellingham. It’s a myth that Bellingham is simply about himself. Any fair-minded observer can see the work he does out of possession, tracking back, tackling, covering for others. He contributes to the collective.

I’ve never spoken to Bellingham. He avoids the England writers but broadcast colleagues speak highly of his helpfulness. I don’t know his family or advisers but I do know that he’s 22, still maturing, that everything he does gets scrutinised and he will inevitably learn it’s pointless arguing with officials but that’s also part of his desperation to win. Bellingham demands high standards of himself and others. That has to be good if England are to progress far at the World Cup. He has a competitive edge that England need. It’s one of his great strengths, that mindset.

So, some perspective and balance is required here. Bellingham wants to play. He expressed momentary frustration when realising he was being subbed against Albania. He showed respect to the assist-makers and goalscorers (as Kane emphasised by posting a post-goal pic of the pair), to the man replacing him (his friend Morgan Rogers) and to Thomas Tuchel, who calls him “a special talent”. Rogers has done well for Tuchel but doesn’t have the track record of dominating big games like Bellingham. Respected media colleagues from other countries think it’s madness there’s even a debate about possibly leaving Bellingham behind.

Tuchel has a key role to play here, as I’m sure experienced heads at the FA will be quietly mentioning. He’s surely aware that Bellingham must be feeling hounded by some headlines, and that is not a healthy situation for him, for England or Tuchel himself.

What Tuchel, England and the FA don’t need is tension festering for four months, seeping into the March camp, and Bellingham reporting feeling like there’s a target on his back. Anyone with any experience of following England knows that such situations harm the team’s prospects.

Tuchel needs to go to Madrid and speak with Bellingham. Speak with, not to. Be supportive. And then publicly remind the doubters how important Bellingham is to England, perhaps through a few words via the FA website, reflecting on 2025, and looking forward to what could be a momentous 2026. Because for England to have a momentous 2026, they need Jude Bellingham. It’s foolish to think otherwise. #ENG

[Birmingham City FC @BCFC]

Blues fans planning their night:

@Johnfis08605918 @Coral

[Will Brazier @willbrazier]

We are actually coming for The Undertakers Wrestlemania streak.

[MMA On Point @mmaonpoint]

The moment when Renato Moicano became Money Moicano. No more dishreshpect

[Harry Silvester @harrysilv]

Mehdi Nafti

[Blues Focus @BluesFocus]

Question❓

If @BCFC were to put another player here next to Jude and Francis, who would you want it to be?🤔

#BCFC

[Birmingham City FC @BCFC]

A message from Tom Wagner...

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Huge respect for Southgate for how he’s got players enjoying turning up for England again, for the unity he’s created, for his quiet dignity, work on penalty “process” and record of getting #ENG to two finals. He’s handled the pressure of the so-called “impossible job” well. But the game is also about entertaining, and England underwhelmed. It's also about trophies, especially when he has such a talented collection of players to call on. Southgate’s had four goes, four tournaments, so, yes, it’s time for him to go – with two caveats. 1, the problem is who comes in? Eddie Howe, Graham Potter or Under-21s' Lee Carsley (Birmingham-born, ex-Irish international)? If English, the field is thin. And 2, the players want Southgate to stay. FA desperately hope he stays. It’s down to him. If Southgate does decide to leave, he goes out with his head held high.

[Dan Walker @mrdanwalker]

Stick him on the back pages ⚽️

Ok… it’s not the best football in history but let’s just enjoy the win.

Room for improvement but #England have found a way in every game and that’s all that matters

#EURO2024

[England @England]

Iconic 🤩

[Will Brazier @willbrazier]

And people wanted Bellingham off the pitch…

[Harry Silvester @harrysilv]

@Jam3s_34 Carlos Costly & Ferdinand Colly - the fact you won’t remember them says it all

[Harry Silvester @harrysilv]

Respect, but tell us what the boys are doing to prepare for their biggest game of the season?

[Birmingham City FC @BCFC]

On the facade of the Kop at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, a plaque has been placed to remember the 21 people who lost their lives on Thursday 21 November 1974.

https://t.co/IcNBKoP33V

[Aaron @_baggyaaron]

This enough culture for you?

[Harry Silvester @harrysilv]

@ScottyP1875 Make sure it’s not a chicken balti pie otherwise they’ll love it

[Second Tier podcast @secondtierpod]

People outside Birmingham City won’t appreciate Lukas Jutkiewicz…

But the man has been so good for them over the years and deserves so much respect 👏🫡

#BCFC

[Birmingham City FC @BCFC]

A message to all Bluenoses from Chairman of the Board, Tom Wagner. 🔵

[Matt Cooper Bites @MattCooperBites]

Indian takeaway inspired Christmas Dinner 🤤

Not going to lie, this took forever but well worth it.

Tandoori turkey 🦃
Onion and stuffing bhaji 🧅
Seekh kebab pigs in blankets 🐷
Yorkshire pud naans 🥯
Masala roasties 🥔
Butter chicken gravy 🍛

Would you eat this?

[Harry Silvester @harrysilv]

@MattCooperBites Where’d you get your nails done pal?

[UNDEFEATED @UNDEFEATEDinc]

UNDEFEATED x Birmingham City Football Club

11.24.23