Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has boldly claimed that Jude Bellingham is destined to succeed Harry Kane as the next England captain. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.
Dismissing the idea that Declan Rice is the guaranteed heir to the armband, Agbonlahor insisted that the Real Madrid star is the only logical choice after dragging his country to the semi-finals with six goals.
Noting Jude’s immense influence and mature demeanour, Gabby added that Bellingham has been excellent at the 2026 World Cup.
His words, “He’s the next England captain. Let’s not get it twisted, people talk about Declan Rice, no it’s not – Jude Bellingham is the next England captain after Harry Kane. No-brainer. Say no more.
He reminds me of Zidane, the way he plays and stuff. He’s dragging this team through at the moment. I think he’s world class, I really do. And also, you listen to him off the pitch, he’s got a real calmness about him as well. And I think he’s the next England captain after Harry Kane. I think he’s been excellent and really dragging this team through.
He’s playing chest out, he’s not hiding from anything. I don’t even think he would probably be [too hung up on becoming captain] – as much of an honour as it is to be captain of England. I imagine he’s [like]: ‘If it comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.’ It might be part of his plan, but I think he’ll just continue to be the one that everyone looks to in that team regardless.
He’s dragging them along with him. He’s making people around him better, I think. So you would say that maybe two, three years down the line, whenever Harry Kane decides to call it a day, it would naturally go to Jude, in my opinion.”
Jude Victor William Bellingham (born 29 June 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team.
Bellingham joined Birmingham City as an under-8, became the club’s youngest ever first-team player when he made his senior debut in August 2019, at the age of 16 years, 38 days, and played regularly during the 2019–20 season. He joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020, and in his first appearance became their youngest ever goalscorer. Over three seasons with the club he made 132 appearances, was a member of their 2020–21 DFB-Pokal-winning team, and helped them finish as runners-up in the 2022–23 Bundesliga. He signed for Real Madrid in June 2023.
Jude Victor William Bellingham was born on 29 June 2003 in Stourbridge, in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, West Midlands, the eldest son of Denise and Mark Bellingham. His father Mark was, until 2022, a sergeant in the West Midlands Police, and a prolific goalscorer in non-League football.
Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe, is also a footballer. Bellingham attended Priory School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
