Jude Bellingham and Joe Cole tell England boss Bellingham’s best position

Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Gareth Southgate sometimes play Jude Bellingham in a central midfield role – when Bellingham tends to be at his best in an advanced midfield role.

He has already scored five goals in four games as an advanced number 10 for Real Madrid.

Against Ukraine, Bellingham didn’t seem to be at his best in the deep midfield role, but was man of the match against Scotland as he scored a goal and notched an assist.

For Joe Cole, Bellingham should play further up the pitch.

The Chelsea and England legend said of Jude Bellingham’s position: “We’ve got a gem, we just need to put him in a system that’ll get the best out of him.

“I like it when he plays close to Harry Kane, Graeme likes it when he plays a bit deeper, with someone else in there, but I think he and Harry Kane need to build up an understanding where when Harry drops off, the space is there for him to attack the space and score goals.

“He’s got the flavour for goals now, you know, and you look at him in his interview, I think he wants to play closer to the goal. All attacking players do.

“I think it’ll be horses for courses, certain games he can play deeper, perhaps if we need to break down a certain team, but knowing Gareth, if he were to play a quarter-final match tomorrow against France, I’m pretty sure he’d go with the sixes and Jude as a 10. But it just gives you options.

“I don’t think we’ve had a player of his quality for a very very long time. He is absolute world elite, Ballon d’Or winner possibility.”

Bellingham also admitted he really enjoyed playing in the No 10 role against Scotland.

He said: “I think it’s just a freedom role really more than anything. If you look at my performances in Madrid so far, they’re quite complete because I get given the freedom by the amazing team-mates and coaching staff and manager that I’ve got.

“They help me be all over the pitch and get into the box to finish the chances and create as well and I think I can do all of that pretty well. I can do it a lot better and that’s what I’m trying to prove to you all.”