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Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic says that Jude Bellingham's decision to go to Real Madrid was crucial in his drastic rise to become potentially the best player in the world.<\/p>\n
The midfielder was the first thing that the Serbian manager even mentioned when he came to speak to media about being drawn with England for the Euro 2024 draw, effusively bringing up the 20-year-old's name unprompted.<\/p>\n
"Jude Bellingham, come on!" Stojkovic laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment he is very close to being the best, and he is going to be the best. He made a good choice to go to Real Madrid to get the Golden Ball [Ballon d\u2019Or] as the best player, only at Real Madrid can he do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guy is amazing, absolutely fantastic and he\u2019s only 20 years old.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf England goes to the final and wins the championship he\u2019s going to be the best player of Europe, definitely."<\/p>\n
Serbia and England will meet in Gelsenkirchen in Group C's opening game on 16 June, with Stojkovic talking up Gareth Southgate's side as potential champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time, you know,\u201d he added. \u201cEveryone is waiting for England to be the champion, World Cup or European Championships, so now maybe it is time to prove that.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland are one of the best teams in Europe \u2013 England, France, Spain\u2026 England is one of the very, very serious candidates to get the trophy. Let\u2019s be honest, it has fantastic potential with a great coach and players and mentality."<\/p>\n
As regards his own best player, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Stojkovic was diplomatic when asked about the forward's decision to play in the Saudi Pro League.<\/p>\n
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Gareth Southgate, Dragan Stojkovic and Kasper Hjulmand<\/p>\n
"The level is not the Premier League, it\u2019s not Fulham,\u201d he conceded. \u201cIt's a different level but he is already a mature and professional guy, he proved his personality and quality already in the best league in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo now the level is down regarding the quality of the league. But regarding his mental strength, his thinking about the game when he plays for the national team I don\u2019t have doubt he is going to give 100 percent. He will be ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good thing is we will have time to spend together to work to try to find some good solutions and it\u2019s going to be different to Qatar because we didn\u2019t have time to do something. Now it\u2019s different, we are happy to be here and play against England."<\/p>\n