'I've got a chip on my shoulder': Jude Bellingham admits relief in silencing critics

[p]The Real Madrid midfielder got the nod from Thomas Tuchel to start in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a]'s number 10 role for their opening match in Texas.[/p][p]The 22-year-old, who at times divides opinion among England fans and has not always had the smoothest relationship with Tuchel, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/croatia-K8aznggo/england-j9N9ZNFA/?mid=b5qGuKMs"]delivered when his country needed him.[/a][/p][p]With a chaotic game locked 2-2 at the break, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Bellingham[/a] scored two minutes into the second half to put England on the way to an ultimately fairly comfortable win.[/p][p]It capped an all-action display from Bellingham, who started ahead of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rogers-morgan/lp4jm80n/"]Morgan Rogers[/a], and he told the BBC: [b]"For me personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and show my country, show my team-mates, how committed I am to helping us win football matches."[/b][/p][embed guid="451aeedb-efb6-4786-94a4-2f98ea6ada67" url="https://x.com/England/status/2067356592589218221" social-type="twitter" /][p]Bellingham, who could play a vital role for England if they want to win their first major trophy since 1966, said it had been "a tougher season" for me.[/p][p]But he comes to football's biggest stage feeling "fresh and sharp and strong, and ready to give everything".[/p][p]He added: [b]"I've got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder."[/b][/p][p]Asked if that helps him play better, he replied: [b]"I think so. That helps me a lot to find that focus early in the game, to find that intensity.[/b][/p][p][b]"I know it's part of being a footballer, I don't hold a grudge about anyone that says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it.[/b][/p][p][b]"Today I think it was nice to try and show people and remind people what I'm about."[/b][/p][embed guid="194a7d62-d3d1-409b-af5d-d4bc08c2d19b" url="https://x.com/England/status/2067356233120510002" social-type="twitter" /][p]Tuchel, who once described Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "repulsive", before apologising, challenged him to show the same level for however long England are in the tournament.[/p][p]"A very good player, he deserved to start," said the German coach.[/p][p]"And that's what he needs to do, fight for his place, to keep his place, that's what he did, it was good."[/p][infobox id="223b89ff-ddb8-4772-8cfb-8f89aea85267" /]