Jordan Henderson Predicts Jude Bellingham Will Shine with 'X-Factor' in England's World Cup Opener Against Croatia

JORDAN HENDERSON has backed Jude Bellingham to provide England’s “X-Factor” at the World Cup this summer.

The veteran midfielder, who turns 36 on the day of the Three Lions’ opener against on Wednesday, gave a passionate defence of star Bellingham, hailing his influence on the dressing room.

England star Jordan Henderson has backed Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham to make the difference for England Credit: Getty The Brentford man hailed Bellingham’s world-class ability on and off the pitch Credit: AFP

Bellingham, 22, has endured a tough season at Real due to injury but will start against the Croats should favour him over close pal .

Rogers and Bellingham spoke glowingly of experienced Henderson earlier this week, with the latter describing him as “the first name on the team-sheet”.

returned the favour at a press conference at England’s media base just outside Kansas City with a powerful endorsement of a player that has copped flak from some quarters.

ace Henderson said: “I’m sure he will have a big impact for us in this tournament.

“For me he’s someone I can remember six years ago, I gave him his first cap. It was away at Middlesbrough.

“How much he’s grown as a player and a person is incredible, really.

“I had a good idea when I first saw him playing and training and the way he was.

“But what he’s done so far, at such a young age… I think everybody forgets how young he is. Even me, really, sometimes.

“We do rondos and it’s the youngest in. There’s people who I think should be going in before him and he’s always one of the first in the middle to go in.

“It just reminds me of how young he is.

“I could not speak highly enough of him. I know a lot gets written about him in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes, really, because I just know how big an influence he is on this team, how good a team-mate he is off the field.

“What he gives us is something really special. I think he really gives us the X-Factor in our team.”

Bellingham will earn his 49th cap if he features against Croatia.

Tuchel has to decide whether he starts with the Real man or Rogers, who shone during the qualifying campaign, against and Co.

Henderson continued: “(Bellingham) has had big moments in his career, he’s a big-game player.

“He’s got experience in tournaments. So he’s a huge, huge player for us in this tournament.

“I think if you ask any player in the group, they’ll tell you how much of a good team-mate he is, how well he trains.

“I know he’s young, but he’s very mature in his head. He helps young players, new players coming in, how he was in the pre-camp, how he was with Rio, Josh King, Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, how he is with those players, nobody sees that.

“They all look up to him. He gave Rio his first cap after the game which just gives you a little insight into what he is like behind the scenes.

“I do think a lot of the media and the stuff that gets written isn’t all true, to be honest, or actually is untrue.

“But for us we all know what he can do and how much we all love him inside the camp and that’s the main thing.”

Tuchel admires Henderson’s leadership skills and experience, which the midfielder will look to use to help the team even if his game-time is limited.

The German brought Henderson back in from the cold after left him out of Euro 2024.

Reflecting on that period in the wilderness, Henderson said: “It was a tough period not going to the last Euros. I suppose maybe there are some doubts that creep in over time.

“But at the same time, I had some good people around us to give me that love back for football and get that fight going in us again.

“I worked extremely hard from that point on to be in the best possible shape and try and play for as long and as much as possible.

“Thankfully when Thomas came in as manager he’s seen some qualities that he felt I could add. That gave us a big boost and I’ve worked very hard since then.

“I just feel like I’m in a very good place at the minute to try to give everything I can to help the team.”

If Henderson is the old man of England’s midfield, then he is nothing compared to Luka Modric who is still shining for Croatia at the age of 40.

Henderson admits the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is an inspiration for his longevity.

He asserted that the Croatia legend is one of the greatest players he’s lined up against – the pair clashed several times in the Champions League as well as in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

The ex-Liverpool man said: “He’s probably the best I’ve played against midfield-wise. The career speaks for itself. He’s top, world-class. So hard to play against. I’m a big fan.

“Hopefully he doesn’t perform as well as we know he can. I’ve not seen him have a bad game yet. It’ll be a difficult test for whoever plays in midfield.

“He’s an inspiration for us to keep going.”