John Terry Compares Jude Bellingham to Zinedine Zidane as England Pursues World Cup Glory

Former Chelsea captain John Terry has praised Jude Bellingham as a player capable of embodying the qualities of Zinedine Zidane, arguing the 22-year-old midfielder must perform at his highest level for England to secure a second World Cup title since 1966. Terry, who earned 78 caps for the national team and competed in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, believes Bellingham possesses the technical elegance and impact that defined the French midfield legend. England manager Thomas Tuchel will lead the squad into the competition, with the German coach seeking to become the first foreign manager to lift the trophy for the Three Lions.

Bellingham's Role in England's Midfield

Terry's assessment centers on Bellingham's ability to glide across the pitch while maintaining his defensive responsibility and offensive contribution. According to Terry, the Real Madrid midfielder—who joined the Spanish club from a young age—reminds him of Zidane in his movement and composure. "He's got that bit of class; a world-class player," Terry said. "When I watch him, he glides on his feet and carries himself in a way that I love to watch players play football. He scores and creates goals."

There are indications of tension between Bellingham and Tuchel regarding his role in the squad, though the specifics remain unclear. Despite this dynamic, Terry is confident the midfielder will make a significant impact on England's World Cup campaign. Competition for midfield positions includes Arsenal's Declan Rice and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, though Terry ranks Bellingham above Rogers in terms of quality.

Terry's Broader Squad Assessment

Beyond midfield, Terry expressed disappointment at several squad decisions. He highlighted the omission of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, arguing the player's performances—particularly in the second half of the season when working under Michael Carrick—warranted selection. Terry described Maguire as one of England's best defenders and suggested his exclusion was a missed opportunity.

Terry also noted the absence of Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester City's Phil Foden, though he acknowledged their individual quality. Other pivotal players in England's setup include striker Harry Kane and defender Reece James, both considered essential to the group's success. Former striker Michael Owen has assessed England's prospects more cautiously, stating that while the squad has a genuine chance to win the tournament, he expects stronger individual squads—particularly France—to be favorites for the title.