Why England’s Midfield Maestro Jude Bellingham is Sidelined This September

England faces a crucial set of World Cup qualifiers this September, but they will be without one of their most influential players: Jude Bellingham. The absence of the Real Madrid star comes at a pivotal time for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, who are navigating a ‘win at all costs’ journey under their new manager. While England boasts a perfect record in qualifying so far, performances have often left fans wanting more, making Bellingham’s absence even more keenly felt.

Southgate’s Squad Navigates Key Qualifiers Without Star Midfielder

The Three Lions have secured three wins from three in their World Cup qualifying campaign, yet the journey has been far from smooth. A narrow 1-0 victory over Andorra in June was followed by a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Senegal, raising questions about the team’s consistency and tactical evolution under Southgate. This weekend, England is expected to comfortably dispatch Andorra in the reverse fixture, but a much tougher challenge looms next Tuesday against Serbia in Belgrade. A win there would significantly boost England’s prospects for next summer’s tournament across the Atlantic.

However, securing that vital result against Serbia will require England to overcome the absence of Bellingham, who was not included in Southgate’s squad for this month’s fixtures. His creative spark, defensive tenacity, and knack for crucial goals will be sorely missed.

The Lingering Injury: Why Bellingham is Sidelined

Bellingham’s current absence stems from a persistent shoulder injury that has plagued him since his sensational debut season with Real Madrid. The all-action midfielder first dislocated his left shoulder in November 2023 during a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano. Despite the pain, he heroically played through the remainder of the 2023-24 season, helping Madrid secure a remarkable La Liga and Champions League double.

The issue, however, continued to bother him into the less successful 2024-25 campaign, where Los Blancos ceded their domestic crown to Barcelona and were eliminated from Europe by Arsenal. Following the Club World Cup, the difficult decision was made for Bellingham to undergo surgery in mid-July to finally address the long-standing problem. The operation was successful, but it has meant he is yet to feature for Real Madrid at the start of the new season, making him unavailable for England’s September qualifiers.

In his place, Southgate has opted for fresh talent, handing a first call-up to Elliot Anderson, and surprisingly recalling AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek into the national squad after a seven-year absence, demonstrating the depth Southgate is keen to explore.

When Can We Expect Bellingham’s Return?

Real Madrid has not provided an official timeline for Bellingham’s return, but Spanish media outlets have suggested a recovery period of approximately three months. While an exact comeback date remains unconfirmed, the expectation is that Bellingham will make his return to action at some point in October.

This means the Englishman will miss Real Madrid’s busy September schedule, which includes two crucial Champions League fixtures against Marseille and Kairat Almaty, as well as the highly anticipated Madrid derby in La Liga. However, Bellingham will undoubtedly be pushing hard to be fit and available for the international break next month, with his sights firmly set on the first El Clásico of the season, scheduled for October 26. His return will be a significant boost for both club and country, as his presence has proven to be transformative on the pitch.

For more details on why Jude Bellingham is not playing for England, you can read this article from Metro News.