{"id":35448,"date":"2026-06-03T13:45:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/ollie-watkins-backs-world-cup-sensation-jude-bellingham-and-rejects-criticism\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T13:45:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:45:26","slug":"ollie-watkins-backs-world-cup-sensation-jude-bellingham-and-rejects-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/ollie-watkins-backs-world-cup-sensation-jude-bellingham-and-rejects-criticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Ollie Watkins backs World Cup sensation Jude Bellingham and rejects criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ollie Watkins believes Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has the maturity and skill to help England advance in this summer’s North American World Cup<\/h2>\n
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June 2, 2026, 13:24<\/span>Updated June 2, 2026 16:15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Ollie Watkins loves playing with Jude Bellingham (Image: Marc Atkins\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Ollie Watkins described Jude Bellingham as a “perfect midfielder” and backed him to take the World Cup by storm.<\/p>\n
Bellingham has endured a difficult season at Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants failing to win a single trophy and sacking two managers. But Bellingham will be looking to put all that behind him this summer as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions look to conquer the world in North America. Bellingham will be instrumental in England’s good performance.<\/p>\n
And his Three Lions teammate Watkins, who will appear on Rio Ferdinand Presents, believes Bellingham can repeat what he did in Qatar in 2022 and shine on the biggest stage again.<\/p>\n
Watkins said: “I think his super strength is that he’s a perfect all-round midfielder. I think he can do it all, and I think his physicality as well. Walking around the pitch, he always wants the ball.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s huge for the midfielder as well, because sometimes he\u2019s going to lose the ball, but he\u2019s going to run back and obviously sprint forward.<\/p>\n
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“I think he can run the game, and I think his confidence and belief in himself, that’s probably one of the things that will take him to the next level.”<\/p>\n
Bellingham has been heavily criticized for his attitude toward referees and general body language during games. He even has a reputation for being intimidating towards some of his colleagues in England.<\/p>\n
But Watkins believes people are misunderstood and that Bellingham has shown a lot of maturity and leadership qualities for a 22-year-old.<\/p>\n
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Jude Bellingham has been hailed as a ‘perfect midfielder’ (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Watkins added, “To be fair, every time I play with him, I think I look around and think, “He’s going to feel like, you know, a 28, 30-year-old guy, the way he handles himself and the way he carries himself.”<\/p>\n
“On the pitch, he’s not like he’s moaning, he’s flailing his arms around to cheer the crowd on. And I think he just gives off an atmosphere of always believing and keeping going.”<\/p>\n
“I think he likes that responsibility and carries that on his shoulders. And as a teammate, it’s good to see a player do that.”<\/p>\n
To watch the full interview, tune in to the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel on Tuesday, June 2nd at 8am.<\/p>\n
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World Cup Legends – Special Edition now on sale<\/h3>\n
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Nothing creates legends like the World Cup. This new special edition publication celebrates the heroes of Earth’s greatest sporting event.<\/p>\n
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Buy now here or from participating supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents from Wednesday 25 March 2026. Online orders will be shipped starting Wednesday, March 25th, with shipping and packaging charges applicable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Olly](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37236937.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2177856722.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"jude](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37155248.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Real-Madrid-CF-v-Al-Hilal-Group-H-FIFA-Club-World-Cup-2025.jpg\")
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