A body language expert has revealed that Jude Bellingham has an ‘instinctive reaction to lead’, as evidenced by his immediate desire to console his compatriots after their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
The Real Madrid star did his best to look after his teammates after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the Olympiastadion.
But some players in Gareth Southgate’s team, such as Chelsea star Cole Palmer, appeared unwilling to see Bellingham on the pitch for the full match.
Following England’s defeat at the European Championship, rumours circulated that Bellingham was struggling to connect with most of his Three Lions colleagues, apart from his close friendship with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Palmer’s reaction to Bellingham’s approach added to speculation that Bellingham plays a somewhat aloof role in the England squad, as the Chelsea man failed to respond to the midfielder’s consoling hug.
Jude Bellingham is a ‘natural leader with an arrogant streak’ – which adds to his stunning talent
The England midfielder attempted to console his teammates during the closing stages of the loss to Spain
Despite the snub, communications specialist Judi James believes the 21-year-old’s actions after the final whistle – and throughout the tournament – are suggestive of a “natural leader”, and even hinted that taking over the captaincy could be part of Bellingham’s future plans.
‘Bellingham’s body language often suggests he is mature for his age, with some natural leadership qualities and charisma that would make him suitable for a captain’s role or even a manager’s role in the future,’ James told Mail Sport exclusively.
‘It seems like an instinctive reaction for him to lead. His interviews are articulate, intelligent and confident and he seems to think strategically rather than focusing solely on himself.
‘He has shown that he wants to motivate his teammates during the European Championship and that he wants to console them in a mature way after they lost to Spain in the final.
“Most of his teammates were deep in their grief, but Bellingham was the one who put his feelings first.”
Earlier in the tournament, Bellingham’s on-field gestures came under fire when the player was caught moving his cross towards the Slovakia bench just after scoring a stunning bicycle kick to send England into the last 16.
Bellingham was given a one-match conditional UEFA ban and a €30,000 fine by the tournament’s governing body, but was still able to continue his trip to Germany and play Switzerland in England’s quarter-final.
The player also caused controversy when he kicked a cool box of drinks left on the touchline in response to England’s defeat at the finish line on Sunday.
Bellingham later described the loss as “brutal” and “heartbreaking” and appeared to have fallen back into tantrums in the aftermath.
“But like any young star player, Bellingham’s body language shows arrogance, rebellion and strong frustration rituals when the team is losing,” James noted in her assessment of the player’s physical gestures.
‘His celebratory rituals caused controversy and his first reaction after the Spanish match was to vent his frustration by kicking the drinks fridge before sitting down alone, in a way that would calm him down and foster his more mature and empathetic nature.
‘His arrogance is an essential part of his success and brilliance on the pitch. It is a quality that stars like Ronaldo have developed and nurtured over the years, because it helps them avoid the kind of corrosive self-doubt that can torpedo technique.
‘All that shouting, those macho winning moves and such ensure that many star players keep their self-confidence high.’
It is also thought that the interactions between Bellingham and Southgate caused some delay during England’s dramatic final, with Bellingham reportedly ‘losing it’ with Southgate in the second half.
The unseen moment was first reported by ESPN. 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 combined with arrogance can put a young player like Bellingham at odds with a manager and team-mates,” James added, “particularly when you have a man who leads in a more nurturing, calming and cautious way, like Southgate, and a more reserved captain like (Harry) Kane, who seems to leave all the shouting, excitement and passion on the pitch to guys like (Jordan) Pickford or (Kieran) Trippier.
‘Not all players responded to Bellingham’s consoling gestures, but many did not respond to Southgate’s either.’
Of Bellingham’s interaction with Palmer, James claimed it “exuded affection and trust and an assumption that the gesture would be well received.
Bellingham swung at a drinks cooler after the final whistle in the match against England, which they lost 2-1
“He’s holding Palmer’s face in one hand and pushing his head close to Palmer’s in a gesture of camaraderie,” James continued. “So we can assume there’s no sense that Bellingham is aware of any potential negativity that’s brewing.
‘Palmer looks expressionless and does not respond to the comforting touches, which could easily give the impression that he is being cool towards Bellingham, but there is also another possible interpretation.
‘Palmer scored the goal that should have put us in the final, so he may feel the pain of losing more than others.
‘The gutted state leads to this kind of emptiness where players stare into space in disbelief while others sit on the floor and cry, so it may not be a personal neglect on Bellingham’s part. He also seemed oblivious to Dean Henderson’s attempts to comfort him.’