Bellingham can handle England expectation - Kroos

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos says his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham is "the complete package" and tin grip nan weight of English anticipation astatine Euro 2024.

Kroos played alongside Bellingham, 20, arsenic Real won nan Champions League last astatine Wembley connected 1 June and nan seasoned says nan England midfielder carries himself successful a measurement which belies his years.

"I've had a twelvemonth pinch Jude and had to inquire really aged he really is. He's 20 but - and peculiarly disconnected nan section - he feels to beryllium a adjacent spot much mature than that," said Kroos, 34.

England are among nan pre-tournament favourites and Bellingham trained alongside each 25 of his team-mates astatine their unfastened training convention successful Jena connected Tuesday.

Bellingham, who became Birmingham City's youngest ever subordinate successful August 2019 astatine 16 years and 38 days aged and made his England debut successful November 2020, is expected to play a cardinal domiciled successful nan Three Lions' bid for glory successful Germany.

"It speaks for him that location is truthful overmuch dream resting connected him successful England," said Kroos. "At Real, successful nan first fewer weeks, he was straight decisive for us. I didn't consciousness he had immoderate problems arsenic his value to nan squad grew.

"He's a feline who tin grip this pressure. This characteristic astatine conscionable 20 years of property - it's nary problem for him to withstand nan pressure."

Gareth Southgate's broadside statesman their run against Serbia successful Gelsenkirchen connected Sunday.

Kroos will discontinue from a sparkling profession aft this summer's location European Championship, which originates erstwhile Germany look Scotland successful Munich connected Friday.

The 2014 World Cup victor started his elder profession astatine Bayern Munich earlier moving to Real Madrid and lifted a sixth Champions League title aft nan Spanish giants hit Borussia Dortmund 2-0 earlier this month.

He stepped distant from world shot aft Germany's last-16 exit to England astatine Euro 2020, but says he would not person returned to nan nationalist squad successful February if he did not judge nan hosts could triumph nan tournament.

"That ending would beryllium a spot excessively cheesy, pinch nan Champions League and nan European Championship, but I'll return it," said Kroos.

"It went hand-in-hand pinch nan determination to travel back.

"I still want to beryllium successful and I want to triumph nan tourney this summer. That's rather clear.

"If I didn't consciousness this thought - aliases this imagination - was possible, past I wouldn't person travel back, because it's ever astir winning immoderate title I play in."