Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham link-up still to be proven as England face DR Congo | OneFootball

England's improving connection between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane will be tested on Wednesday at 18:00 against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32. According to L'Équipe, signs of progress on and off it still need confirming.

At East Rutherford on Saturday, Bellingham's 67th-minute cross was headed in by Kane for the second in a 2-0 win over Panama.

Before Panama, Bellingham had created only one Kane goal in 44 games together, a 2023 friendly against Scotland that ended 3-1. They often occupied the same pockets, Kane dropping into Bellingham's territory around 30 metres from goal.

That was evident at Euro 2024, where England lost the final to Spain 1-2. Bellingham sought more responsibility after his added-time overhead against Slovakia in the last 16, while Kane implicitly felt he should have defended the group more amid criticism.

Since Thomas Tuchel took charge in January 2025, those tactical and personal strains have eased. Bellingham now drifts wide or deep to avoid Kane's movements, and he publicly called it an honour to play with him, describing Kane as England's greatest. Team-mate Noni Madueke said he hopes their form continues.

Even so, they now exchange 2.8 passes per 90 minutes in the United States, down from 3.4 in Germany in 2024. The balance Tuchel has built, helped by Jordan Henderson's recall, could be tested by his contrasting messages, praising Kane while pushing Morgan Rogers to challenge Bellingham's place.

Source: L'Équipe