England Only Have One Galactico – They Should Treat Him Like It

On a night of high expectations, Jude Bellingham’s brilliance was overshadowed by the chaos of trying to accommodate too many stars. England’s Nations League clash with Greece was supposed to showcase the talents of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Bellingham himself, but instead, it highlighted the dangers of overcomplication. Bellingham did manage to score, but it was a scrappy, last-minute effort, far from the dominant display fans hoped for.

Lee Carsley, England’s manager-elect, attempted to cram all his stars into a single lineup, but football isn’t about individual brilliance alone—it’s about cohesion. Half the team seemed to be trying to outshine Bellingham, and in the process, they lost sight of what makes football work: teamwork.

Carsley’s vision—having Foden as the creative hub, Palmer terrorizing Greece, and Bellingham as the goal-scoring dynamo—never materialized. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon were meant to stretch Greece’s defense, but that plan fell flat too. Now, Carsley must go back to basics ahead of Sunday’s clash in Helsinki. England needs to realize there’s room for only one king, and that king is Bellingham.

Bellingham’s current form has been uncertain since his electric start at Euro 2024. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid might have shifted his role, and his game has suffered as a result. In recent matches, he’s looked like Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes—trying to do too much and ending up doing too little. Against Greece, Bellingham’s overzealous efforts mirrored those of his teammates—too many showy passes, too much individual flair, and not enough teamwork. Greece, a team with far fewer big names, schooled England with their discipline and structure.

For England to succeed, Carsley needs to design the team around Bellingham, not squeeze him into a system. Bellingham is the perfect No. 8—powerful, quick, and capable of scoring. He should be driving the team forward, controlling possession, and making decisive plays. If Saka and Gordon remain on the wings, Carsley must decide who supports Bellingham in the middle—Foden, Palmer, or Grealish.

The lesson from Thursday’s game is clear: even the best players need structure. Gareth Southgate understood this, and now Carsley must strike the right balance between creativity and discipline. England’s future lies in unlocking Bellingham’s potential, but only if they build the team around him and not the other way around.