Jude Bellingham knows England have some kinks to iron out but focused on the positives after Gareth Southgate's side dug deep to win Sunday's Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
Among the favourites to triumph in Germany having finished runners-up three years ago, they flew out the blocks in Gelsenkirchen as they began this summer's quest for glory.
Bellingham's powerful early header put dominant England in control, but Serbia stepped up after the break and Southgate's side were made to sweat as they saw out a 1-0 win.
The result puts them top of Group C and Sunday's man of the match batted back the suggestion that the first half showed why they can win the Euros and second period why they may fall just short.
"No, not quite - I don't agree with that," Bellingham said.
"I think the first half shows why we can score goals against any team, and the second half shows why we can keep a clean sheet against any team.
"I think obviously, commonly with the team, there's a negative theme around all our games. You know, sometimes rightly so.
"But I think in this case you take the positives from the fact that, OK, maybe we had to hold on at times and suffer a little bit, but we kept a clean sheet.
"When you keep clean sheet all you have to do is score one goal to win the game.
"It's three points, I think this team is still so new, gelling together with every game.
"So, yeah, I think inside the changing room we'll be happy with that.
"Of course, there will be negatives that we want to kind of rub out but overall I'm pleased with that performance."
Bellingham starred as England won a fourth straight tournament opener, showing strength, skill and confidence against physical opponents.
Put to the 20-year-old that he seems unfazed as he looks to help the Euro 2020 runners-up go one better, he said: "I just enjoy playing football.
"When it comes to each and every game, I take it as a single game, as opposed to looking too far into the future.
"I realise that in every game I feel like I can make an impact, I feel like I can decide games.
"But that happens on any given game instead of looking too far into the future.
"The truth is that I really enjoy playing football, so when I go out there I play with the fearlessness because I love doing it so much.
"It's a release for me and it's my favourite thing to do in the world, so when I play out, it's not much of a job. It feels like a pleasure."
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