Bellingham takes Fulham's Josh King under his wing ahead of England debut push

Josh King has credited Jude Bellingham with helping him feel at home in the England setup, as the Fulham midfielder targets a first senior cap during the November international break.

The 19-year-old was named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad on Friday alongside Bellingham’s brother Jobe, having narrowly missed out on selection for England’s September and October camp. King is not a complete stranger to the senior group, however — he was included in a five-man development squad for the pre-World Cup training camp in Miami over the summer, and it was there that Bellingham’s mentorship made a lasting impression.

“There were a lot of people I learned from,” King said. “Jude was a big person for me. He took me under his wing and tried to make me feel welcome. Harry Kane as well — he was one person who really made me feel welcome and tried to help me through my time there.”

King described the Miami experience as a turning point in his development. “It was an amazing opportunity for me. I took a lot of learning from that opportunity. It was a massive part of my journey and it gave me the confidence to start this season well.”

Tuchel, who hailed King as an “exciting” player when announcing the squad, told the teenager to keep accumulating minutes at club level. King has taken that instruction to heart. “He said to keep going, play well, rack up the minutes,” King recalled. “As long as you’re trying to perform as well as you can at club level, the rest comes.”

The midfielder arrived in camp carrying a groin complaint picked up during Fulham’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the weekend, but he was quick to reassure that his withdrawal from that match was precautionary. “I couldn’t turn down the call,” he said. “I’m here. I’m all good fitness wise.”

Tuchel has highlighted King’s versatility as a key reason for the call-up. Primarily a number 10, King can operate across midfield and in attacking positions further forward — a flexibility he says he is happy to embrace. “I’m happy to play anywhere for the manager. I have to add other parts to my game — in wider positions you might have to cover defensively or make runs in behind. I’m capable of playing lots of different roles.”

England face Croatia at home on Thursday before travelling to Madrid to meet world champions Spain on Sunday in their final two UEFA Nations League group fixtures.