Former Blues academy brothers Jude and Jobe Bellingham named in the same England squad

Two brothers who learned their football at Birmingham City's academy could line up together for England this month. Jobe Bellingham, 21, has been called up to the senior squad for the first time, joining his older brother Jude, 23, for the games against Croatia and Spain. If both get on the pitch, they would be the first brothers to play together for England since Gary and Phil Neville 19 years ago.

England manager Thomas Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live it was "a beautiful story", and said the call-up had been earned. "They are both good for each other," he said. "My understanding is they are very close."

Two paths that started at St Andrew's

The brothers' careers have followed remarkably similar routes. Both were stars of the Birmingham City academy, both made their first-team debuts for the Blues as teenagers, and both moved to Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga before earning England call-ups.

Jobe made his Birmingham debut at 16 years and 107 days old, just 69 days older than Jude had been when he first played for the senior side. He then moved to Sunderland, where he helped the club win promotion to the Premier League, before joining Dortmund at 19 in a deal worth up to £31m. Jude, who left Birmingham for Dortmund at 17, went on to join Real Madrid and was England's star player at the World Cup.

Jobe has always been keen to be seen as his own player. He wears "Jobe" on the back of his shirt rather than the family name, which he said was suggested by a former coach because "it shows that I'm going my own way".

"Here on his own merits"

Tuchel was clear that the younger Bellingham's selection was not about his surname. "It makes life easier for Jobe to come into camp and know his brother is one of the key players in our team," he said. "So, that will hopefully help him, but don't forget he is here on his own merits, and he is not here because of his brother."

Jobe is the current captain of the England Under-21 side, and Tuchel said Young Lions head coach Lee Carsley had been pushing for some time for him to get senior recognition. "He's the standout player," said Tuchel. "He found his way, he found his rhythm with Dortmund. He's had an excellent start to his season, is a regular starter and influential."

He is a different kind of midfielder from Jude, sitting deeper in the team. Tuchel described him as "a more defensive player than Jude. So strong on the ball, good physique, a big body, a very physical player and can keep possession."

A chance to impress

An opening has appeared in the squad for this international break. Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended for the first game, and Bournemouth's Alex Scott is injured after shining on his debut in last month's 7-0 win over Croatia.

"It's an incredible achievement for the family and for the brothers," said Tuchel. "I saw his excitement straight away and his smile. It's now up to him, but he's excited and happy and eager to impress, and that's the best foundation to have a good camp for him."

England host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday 12 November, then travel to Madrid to face Spain on 15 November. Blues supporters will be watching both games closely: it is not often that two academy graduates from the same Birmingham family share an England dressing room.

Brothers in an England shirt

The Bellinghams would follow a short list of siblings to represent England. Bobby and Jack Charlton were both in the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, and the Nevilles first played together for England in 1996. More recently, Nathaniel and Trevoh Chalobah have both played for the senior side, but never alongside each other.