Jude Bellingham leaves England star 'scratching his head' with magical performance in Italy win
Jude Bellingham dazzled as England beat Italy in their Euro 2024 qualifying match
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England star Kalvin Phillips has admitted he has been left 'scratching his head' following Jude Bellingham's outstanding performance against Italy on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old provided an assist for Marcus Rashford as the Three Lions beat their rivals 3-1 at Wembley.
Bellingham has been unstoppable ever since leaving Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid back in the summer, having scored 10 goals from as many matches for the La Liga giants.
He's also clocked up three assists across all competitions, too, and is quickly establishing himself as one of the best players in world football.
Jude Bellingham ran the show as England beat Italy to qualify for Euro 2024
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Phillips has now hailed Bellingham while speaking to Channel 4 after the contest.
And he's been left stunned by his team-mates' remarkable rise to prominence in recent times.
"We knew it was a massive game. I think the result epitomises what we are all about," he said.
"With this England team we are always going to start well because we have such good players on the pitch but when we get a setback we have the driving force of Jude [Bellingham] and Harry [Maguire] and the trickiness of Marcus [Rashford] to come into the side.
"I scratch my head sometimes and wonder how is Jude getting better and better.
"He is very humble and very level headed. Marcus is the same."
Phillips started for England despite struggling for game time at Manchester City following his move from Leeds last year.
And though Gareth Southgate was criticised for that decision, the 27-year-old didn't put a foot wrong as England claimed all three points.
Discussing his own display, Phillips acknowledged his struggles at the Etihad Stadium.
And he blamed a yellow card he received on his failure to win round Guardiola and become a regular with the treble winners.
"I kick myself when I made that challenge, I knew it was going to be a yellow card," added the England star.
"It is probably a lack of minutes at club level. I was maybe lucky not to get sent off.
"As a football player you always want to be playing. I want to be playing as much as possible but I haven't done that for a year and a half.
"I always try and make sure I am ready for whatever comes.
"I want minutes, I want to go the Euros. We will see what happens."
As for Bellingham himself, meanwhile, the England star also opened up after the win over Italy.
And he feels he's only getting better and better with each passing match, having scaled new heights since ditching Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid back in the summer.
"I am getting a little better each time I play," he stated.
"A really good night for us, we all remember what happened a few years ago when they played us here.
"You always aim for progression. We are heading in the right direction and a very important win for us.
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England star Kalvin Phillips wasn't entirely satisfied with his own performance after Italy win
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"I am loving football at the minute. My management at club and country are giving me freedom to play it how I see it.
"Since the last few months I have been really working on my timing getting into the box and as I am arriving I am arriving with a big hunger.
"With the big transfer the fact is I have to deliver, whether it is a goal or assist or a match-winning performance.
"This is the club I want to be at for the next 10-15 years of my life. I am loving it there.
"Carlo [Ancelotti] basically said this position is where he sees me."