Former team-mate defends Jude Bellingham against arrogance claims

Jude Bellingham has faced accusations of arrogance as his profile has risen at Real Madrid, but David Davis, who shared a Birmingham City dressing room with him, says what some view as conceit is actually necessary self-belief. "He was a humble kid. People think he's arrogant, but you've got to be self-assured.

The media in England, we think that's arrogance. But when you're that good, you have to have this voice in your head that keeps telling you you're good enough," Davis recalled. Davis, a veteran of 182 appearances for the Blues, says Bellingham was already making senior professionals look ordinary in training at 16 and showed the football intelligence to avoid unnecessary physical duels.

"You were half desperate to be on his team for five-a-sides!" he added. Having helped integrate academy graduates during a transitional period at Birmingham, Davis insists Bellingham kept a grounded nature.

England, Birmingham

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