Jude Bellingham discusses the influence of England fans and external criticism during the Euro 2024 campaign.

Jude Bellingham, the talented midfielder from Real Madrid, has acknowledged the “lot of negativity” surrounding the England team at Euro 2024. However, he believes that the fans inside the stadiums are providing the players with the necessary energy to persevere and not give up.

Bellingham admitted to feeling “absolutely dead” towards the end of the goalless draw against Slovenia, leading some pundits to comment on his fatigue. Despite being booed by some fans at the final whistle of that game, Gareth Southgate’s side remains unbeaten in Group C and is heading into the last-16 tie against Slovakia.

While a small section of supporters threw beer cups at the manager, Bellingham believes that the majority of fans are playing a significant role in Germany. He stated, “I think you definitely draw on them for energy towards the end of games. I felt like in the last game, I was absolutely dead, but you hear them singing, hear them chanting, and you can play at a level that’s not our best, it’s normal, it can happen.”

Bellingham emphasized the importance of not giving up when representing the fans and the badge of England. He acknowledged the negativity outside the stadium and the camp but highlighted the difference in atmosphere once inside the stadium. He believes that the fans present in the stadium are the ones who provide the energy and that the team should focus on that support.

Looking ahead to the last-16 tie against Slovakia, Bellingham acknowledged that it won’t be an easy game despite some people considering it as such. He mentioned that Slovakia poses a different kind of threat and will be a challenging team to break down. However, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win and saw it as an opportunity to elevate their performance to the level required.

In terms of the tournament draw, England has landed a favorable half, avoiding strong teams like Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and Portugal. However, a potential quarter-final against Italy, a rematch of the Euro 2020 final that England lost on penalties, looms in the future.

Overall, Bellingham remains optimistic and believes that the energy and support from the fans will be crucial for England’s success in the tournament.