England’s hope Bellingham can handle pressure, says Kroos

Germany veteran Toni Kroos said Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham can handle the pressure of carrying England’s Euro 2024 expectations.

Still just 20, Bellingham comes fresh off a Champions League victory at Wembley and did not play as England lost a warm-up match 1-0 against Iceland.

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Asked if the pressure was too much for Bellingham at his age, Kroos said the England midfielder was not like most 20-year-old footballers.

“I’ve had a year with Jude and had to ask how old he really is. He’s 20 but – and particularly off the field – he feels to be a fair bit more mature than that.”