You know you’re on to a bright future when you’ve received a call-up for a major international tournament at the age of just 17. That’s where Borussia Dortmund’s wonderkid Jude Bellingham finds himself right now and he’d surely be pinching himself at the sight of how far he’s come in just over a year.

Jude Bellingham was in year eight the last time England graced a European Championship in 2016. How they needed his dynamism and charisma in that dreadful defeat against Iceland. And so, five years later, here we have on our roster one of the finest teenage footballers in Europe right now.

Making his first start for England against Austria, Bellingham made a strong case to Gareth Southgate that he should be starting in midfield alongside Declan Rice against Croatia on June 13th. He did not look out of place at the Riverside and he certainly won’t look out of place against the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.

He’s already cut it amongst the best midfielders Europe has to offer this past campaign, so why can’t he do it at one of the grandest international stages?

Bellingham’s performance against Austria was one of such sublime assurance, peerless confidence and a charismatic presence that England have needed in their midfield since the likes of Paul Scholes or Steven Gerrard.

Jude Bellingham is a true box-to-box presence. A player blessed with raw dynamism. Strutting himself about the pitch like he owns it, and you rarely see that in a footballer making his first international start for his country.

Nothing fazes Bellingham. He wasn’t fazed making his first start for Birmingham at just 15 years of age. He wasn’t fazed making his first start for Borussia Dortmund nor was he afraid of performing week-in, week-out in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the UEFA Champions League.

Did Bellingham actually make a single bad decision or misjudged pass against Autria? Was he ever caught in the wrong position? Not once.

If this was an audition to see who will be Jordan Henderson’s long-term successor for England then we already have our answer in Jude Bellingham.

Countless times Bellingham has been relied upon to sure up the midfield for Dortmund this season, he’s delivered. Never shies away when going in hard in a tackle, and he’s never shy to attempt an audacious run through the middle third if it means getting his team out of trouble or taking the onus upon himself to find his team a goal.

For a player so young, Bellingham rarely shirks away from his responsibilities. He is ever-so reliable. If you remember his performance against Manchester City in both legs of their Champions League tie in April, the 17-year-old was everywhere. A confident and charismatic presence piercing the heart of City’s midfield at will. He should have had a goal to show for his efforts in the first leg too.

Composed, controlled, aggressive, imposing and dynamic. As a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation alongside the dependable Declan Rice, he looked like this was the stage he could easily take to as comfortably as he has been in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

“Phenomenal,” Gareth Southgate called him after naming his final 26-man squad. This from a manager who is measured in his praise, mindful of the pitfalls of hype and headlines and the danger of expecting too much from young players. He’s shielded Bellingham from all that so far, and he’ll continue to do as long as he’s in charge.

Bellingham turns 18 later this month, yet already he is the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match – beating Phil Foden’s record by 79 days – and the youngest player to ever represent England Under-21s and, with this appearance, he became the fourth youngest starter for England, only behind Wayne Rooney and the esteemed pair of James Prinsep and Thurston Rostron.

Only Gareth Southgate knows who he’ll start alongside Declan Rice in midfield against Croatia.

Whether its Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips or even Jordan Henderson, Bellingham has certainly made his case for a starting berth. What was that famous Sir Matt Busby quote? “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough”, and that saying is perfectly reflective of Jude Bellingham’s unique qualities.

At 6ft 1in, Bellingham is a telling presence in midfield and he knows how to use that frame which, given his age, is also impressive. Every team needs a dynamic presence in midfield and Jude Bellingham offers everything you’d want in your typical modern day centre-midfielder – composure, technique, athleticism, strength, awareness and speed of thought.

Some would argue, it would be a huge risk to have Bellingham start alongside Rice against Croatia but its one worth taking. He offers a different option to Kalvin Phillips, who is probably the favourite to start against the Croatians should Henderson not make it.

Along with his shielding ability and the ease with which he can link play and make the astute and simple pass, Bellingham also possesses the unique eye for goal.

Not to mention it was his tackle that originated in Saka’s first England goal. That is the kind of hard-working midfield play that every team needs. What’s also so assuring in Bellingham’s game is he wants the ball, always making himself available for a pass, finding spaces and holes in which to make best use of talents.

Just take this in again… Jude Bellingham is still only 17-years-old. At that age, players are forgiven for struggling to find their feet or failing at every opportunity to impress but that isn’t him. It’s not in his nature.

We simply have a remarkable talent on our hands. A future leader, lets make the most of him while we can.

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