Bellingham left Rijeka with his fingerprints on more than half of England’s seven goals. He scored one and set up three in the 7-0 Nations League win on Saturday 3 October.

Four days earlier he had already worn the armband itself. Tuchel handed Bellingham the strap in the 71st minute of a 2-0 win over Czechia in Prague, replacing Harry Kane.

“If you are the captain at the end of these matches, you can for sure be the permanent captain,” Tuchel said afterwards.

The former England striker Jermain Defoe, asked by Sky Sports who should take the armband when Kane steps aside, named Bellingham without hesitation.

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“Ah Jude, mentality monster. Always wants to be the best player on the pitch, embraces every moment.”

Agbonlahor and Keane echo the pick

The succession chatter is not new. Gabby Agbonlahor made his pick on talkSPORT back in July, after England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals.

“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.”

Roy Keane went further still. The Manchester United great used his ITV platform after the Croatia win to tip Bellingham as a potential all-time great, praising the 23-year-old’s defensive work rate as much as his goal and three assists.

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Kane still has the armband

Harry Kane remains England’s sitting captain. He walks out at Wembley on Tuesday evening for his 125th cap, level with Peter Shilton as the most-capped men’s senior England player, with Bellingham again in the starting XI wearing number 10.

Kick-off against Czechia at Wembley is at 7:45pm local time.

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