Jude Bellingham discusses 'war' mentality ahead of France showdown

Jude Bellingham has discussed the ‘war’ mentality he has during a football match ahead of England’s clash with France.

Bellingham has been one of England’s stars at the World Cup with the 19-year-old getting a goal and an assist in the four matches that he’s played, running the show in midfield.

He also hasn’t been afraid to do the dirty work, sticking his foot in and squaring up to opposition players.

The Borussia Dortmund player says he sees matches as ‘war’ when on the pitch and has always had, to use a popular expression, that dog in him, referring to his temperament.

“I think when you’ve got the dog, you’re just born with it, really,” he said.

“The way I was raised in football, you had to have that dog in you a little bit and I go into the games knowing every game’s a war and you got to be up for it. I think that’s something I have.

“There was a foul [in the Senegal game] that I didn’t think was a foul, I kind of held onto the ball and moved up, me and the lad were both just staring at each other for a minute straight and I just think, ‘don’t be the one that loses’.

“I feel like off the pitch, I’m a nice guy but when I get onto the pitch, something kind of takes over me, to be honest, I feel like you’ve got no friends out there except the ones wearing the same kit.

“Anyone who is not wearing that, it’s, it’s kind of, no beef… but there is something that’s a little bit personal.”