Rio Ferdinand has already told England why ‘unique’ star can replace Jude Bellingham
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit: Imago)
Ciaran Morrison
Tue 9 September 2025 16:20, UK
England manager Thomas Tuchel may already have the ideal replacement for Jude Bellingham in his Three Lions squad.
Bellingham has had shoulder surgery and has not featured for Real Madrid this season, forcing him to be excluded from Tuchel’s first England squad of the new campaign.
England laboured to a 2-0 victory over Andorra, and a better performance will be required when they take on Serbia in hostile surroundings in Belgrade.
Bellingham is a star of the England team, capable of producing fine moments of quality, which were lacking against Andorra, but Tuchel already has a similar calibre of player in his ranks.
Thomas Tuchel taking England training.
Eberechi EzeStatsAppearances148Goals34Assists23Eberechi Eze’ stats in the Premier League for Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
If Bellingham was unavaliable for the World Cup then Tuchel needs another plan, and Eze could bring a different dimension to the side.
He’s had disappointments in his academy life, released from clubs, found a new journey and a different pathway for himself,” Ferdinand said.
“He’s got to this level and now he’s an England international.
Credit: Imago
“This kid, no disrespect to Palace, could go on and play for one of the top teams.
He’s got that individual brilliance; he’s got the awareness when he’s dribbling to keep his head up and bring others into play.
“I speak to other players that play against him, and they say he’s such an elusive player, unpredictable in the way that he carries the ball, but also [his strength].
“If you look at the size of him, he’s got the strength and power to go with it.
Again, you’ve got to get out on the pitch and you’ve got to be available.”
Tuchel will be hoping Eze can bring that sense of unpredictability and elusiveness to the England team against Serbia as the fight to earn a World Cup place continues.