England's strength lies in the collective according to Thomas Tuchel. "If any team has heart and belief, then it's this team," he said after the victory over Mexico. But Jude Bellingham, together with Harry Kane, is showing the value of star quality too.

The 23-year-old is hitting new heights for his country under Tuchel. His man-of-the-match performance in the last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium showed his all-round importance to the side but it is in an attacking sense that he has made the biggest impact.

With four goals in five World Cup games, he has already beaten his total for the last two tournaments combined. He ranks behind only Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and his England team-mate Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.

He is the highest-scoring midfielder at the tournament and has delivered at crucial moments too. Three of his goals - the first of his two against Mexico and his group-stage strikes against Croatia and Panama - have put Tuchel's side in front in games.

"He has carried England," said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville on Sky Sports News this week. "These last five matches, he's been unbelievable along with Harry Kane, but Bellingham has been on another level. I can't speak highly enough of him."

The statistically-calculated Sky Sports Power Rankings support Neville's comments, with Bellingham rated as the fifth-best performer at the World Cup, four places above Kane.

Higher up and closer to Kane

Tuchel deserves a share of the credit for his impact.

Bellingham has fulfilled different roles at the tournament. His versatility is one of his strengths. But two fundamental changes have helped unlock his attacking potential: Tuchel has pushed him higher up the pitch and given him freedom to roam.

His heat maps for the last three tournaments show the difference. Most of his involvement in Qatar four years ago came either side of the halfway line. At Euro 2024, he was further forward but his influence was largely restricted to the left-hand side.

This time around, he has been active right across the final third, playing the bulk of his minutes as a No 10 rather than a No 8 and relishing the attacking responsibility.

He is getting more scoring chances as a result of the changes. His average of 2.67 per 90 minutes represents a huge increase from previous two tournaments, up from 0.8 per 90 minutes at Euro 2024 and 1.08 per 90 minutes at the 2022 World Cup.

Bellingham's numbers for expected goals have gone in the same direction, reflecting the quality, as well as the quantity, of the chances he is generating. He is also getting considerably more touches in the opposition box than he was previously.

With Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice providing cover behind him, and with Bellingham himself tracking back diligently out of possession, the Real Madrid midfielder has been able to play closer to Kane. The pair have developed an excellent understanding.

"I think I've built a good relationship with Harry over the last four or five years," said Bellingham recently. "It's fantastic to play with him," added Kane. The value of deploying them close together was clear against Mexico, when their twin threat proved decisive.

Kane's near-post run helped create space for Bellingham to head in Bukayo Saka's cross for his first goal. The pair then combined directly for his second, with Bellingham feeding Kane following a turnover before continuing his run to dispatch Kane's low cross.

It was the second time at the tournament they have assisted each other after Bellingham provided the cross for Kane's headed goal against Panama in New Jersey. The pair account for 10 of England's 11 goals at the tournament so far.

Running power and 'hidden' value

Bellingham's goals have been invaluable to England but they are only one part of his offering. Tuchel has praised him for buying into the England "brotherhood", having previously questioned his attitude, and there can be no doubting his work rate.

"His effort, non-stop running, tackling, tracking back - that's the type of player we want in our team," said Kane. "Jude is a fantastic runner with the ball and without the ball, making runs in behind from deep. He's so hard to track, he's strong and physical."

Bellingham's goals against Mexico perfectly demonstrated the value of those runs from deep and there have been plenty more examples. According to Opta, he ranks top among England players for runs into the final third, runs in behind and runs followed by a team shot.

His physical intensity shines through in FIFA's tracking data for the tournament. Bellingham has made the third-most sprints of any player at the World Cup, behind only Morocco winger Ismail Saibari and Belgium full-back Timothy Castagne.

Although he is being used in a more attacking role by Tuchel, his engine allows him to get around the pitch. His touch map highlights his involvement in all areas.

Bellingham has shown his capacity to deliver eye-catching contributions at key points. "You can rely on Jude in these moments. He loves these pressure games," said Tuchel. But he brings hidden value too in terms of how he helps his team-mates in possession.

According to data from FIFA, Bellingham has made himself available for passes more times than any other player at the tournament.

His total of 347 offers for passes puts him clear of Bruno Guimaraes in second, highlighting his ability to find space and his determination to gives his team-mates an option when England have the ball.

It also helps to explain Tuchel's willingness to let him roam.

Bellingham has been unleashed. England, into the quarter-finals and with hope of going further, are feeling the benefits.