A body language expert has revealed that Jude Bellingham has an ‘instinctive response to lead’ as evidenced in his immediate wish to console fellow England stars following their defeat to Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
The Real Madrid star made an effort to look after his team-mates in the wake of the Three Lions’ heartbreaking 2-1 loss at the Olympiastadion.
But some members of Gareth Southgate‘s side – such as Chelsea starlet Cole Palmer – seemed unwilling to engage with Bellingham on the pitch at full-time.
In the aftermath of England’s Euros defeat, reports have implied that Bellingham has struggled to click with most of his Three Lions cohort, save for a close friendship with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Palmer’s reaction to Bellingham’s approach added to speculation that Bellingham plays a somewhat distant role in the England squad, with the Chelsea player failing to react to the midfielder’s consoling hug.
But despite being rebuffed, communication specialist Judi James believes that the 21-year-old’s actions after the final whistle – and throughout the tournament – are reminiscent of a ‘natural leader’, even hinting that taking up the captain’s armband might be part of Bellingham’s future plans.
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‘Bellingham’s body language can often suggest he is old beyond his years, with some natural leadership tendencies and charisma that would see him in the role of future captain or eventually even manager,’ James told Mail Sport exclusively.
‘It seems to be an instinctive response for him to lead. His interviews are eloquent, intelligent and confident and he seems to think strategically rather than only focusing on himself.
‘He has shown displays of a desire to motivate his team-mates during the Euros and then this very mature desire to go round consoling them all after they lost to Spain in the final.
‘Most of his team-mates stood lost in their own personal grief but Bellingham was the one to go round putting their feelings first.’
Earlier in the tournament, Bellingham’s gestures on the pitch came under scrutiny when the player was caught seeming to cup his crotch in the direction of the Slovakia bench on the heels of scoring his sumptuous overhead kick to win England the round-of-16 tie.
Bellingham was handed a suspended one-game UEFA ban and fined €30,000 (£25,000) by the tournament’s governing body, but was able to continue his journey in Germany and play against Switzerland in England’s quarter-final.
The player also stoked controversy when he kicked a drinks cooler perched on the touchline in response to England’s defeat on Sunday at full-time.
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Later describing the loss as ‘cruel’ and ‘heartbreaking’, Bellingham appeared to default to hot-headedness in the immediate aftermath.
‘Like any young star player though, Bellingham’s body language also displays arrogance, rebellion and strong rituals of frustration when the team lose,’ James noted in her assessment of the player’s physical gestures.
‘His celebratory rituals caused controversy and his first reaction after the Spanish game was to vent his frustration by kicking the drinks fridge before sitting down alone to presumably calm down and to trigger his more mature and empathetic nature.
‘His arrogance is a vital component of his success and brilliance out there on the pitch. It’s a quality stars like Ronaldo have honed and cherished over the years as it helps them avoid the kind of corrosive self-doubt that can scupper technique.
‘All the ear-cupping and macho win displays et cetera are what help many star players to keep their confidence rock solid.’
Bellingham’s interactions with Southgate are also thought to have given some pause during England’s dramatic final, with Bellingham reportedly ‘losing it’ with Southgate in the second-half.
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The unseen moment was first reported by ESPN, and footage emerged on Tuesday of Bellingham appearing to exchange words with Southgate after Nico Williams opened the scoring for Spain after half-time.
‘Leadership tendencies plus arrogance can bring a young player like Bellingham into conflict with a manager and fellow team-mates,’ James added, ‘especially when you have a man who manages via a more nurturing, calming, cautious style like Southgate plus a low-key captain like (Harry) Kane who seems to leave all the on-pitch shouting, revving up and passion to guys like (Jordan) Pickford or (Kieran) Trippier.
‘Not all the players responded to Bellingham’s gestures of leadership-style consolation but many didn’t respond to Southgate’s either.’
On Bellingham’s interaction with Palmer, James asserted that it signalled ‘affection and a sense of trust and assumption that the gesture will be received well.
‘He cups Palmer’s face in one hand and pushes his head close to Palmer’s in an act of comradeship,’ James continued. ‘So we could assume there’s no idea that Bellingham is aware of any potential negativity brewing.
‘Palmer looks blank and does not respond to the consoling touches, which can easily give the impression that he is being frosty to Bellingham but there is another interpretation.
‘Palmer scored the goal that should have led us to win the final so he might be feeling the pain of losing more keenly than some.
‘The state of being “gutted” does lead to this sort of blankness where players stare ahead in disbelief while others sit on the ground and weep, so it might not be a personal ignore to Bellingham. He also appeared to be oblivious to Dean Henderson’s attempts to console him.’