Jude Bellingham backed as England's tournament x-factor

Paul Merson and Wayne Rooney are both making the same basic point about Jude Bellingham: England have a player who can swing knockout games. Rooney said England "lacked quality and speed and tempo" against Norway, but added that with Bellingham in the side they "always have a chance". Merson went even further, calling Bellingham one of England's tournament-level difference-makers alongside Harry Kane.

Bellingham's numbers against Norway and across the tournament

The performance against Norway vs England gave that view some weight. Bellingham scored twice, including the rebound finish Merson highlighted as a movement-based goal. He has 6 goals in 6 appearances in this World Cup, which is the kind of output England have leaned on when games tighten up.

Merson's language was simple enough. "Teams win leagues. X-factor wins tournaments," he said. "We have an X-factor player in Jude Bellingham, and also Harry Kane." Bellingham's 8.05 average rating across the tournament backs that up, while his 2-goal return against Norway was his sharpest single-game statement yet.

He is also one of only three England players to score at least five goals at a single World Cup, alongside Gary Lineker and Harry Kane. That is a proper tournament record, not just a good night out.

England still have to clean up the rest of the performance

The praise has not wiped out the warning signs. Merson said England would be blown away if they played like that against Argentina, and Rooney said Thomas Tuchel had already made clear the performance was not good enough for a semi-final.

England beat Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the semi-finals, and Rooney said he would rather face Argentina than [Switzerland] if he had the choice. The point is less about the opponent than the standard England have to hit. Bellingham can drag them through moments, but Merson also wants a fully fit Declan Rice back and firing, and said Rice did not look right against Norway.

That is the practical reading of this run. England have the big-game attacker, but the team around him still needs to be cleaner before the semi-final with Argentina.