Jude Bellingham: Gareth Southgate should take bold call and rest Real Madrid midfielder for England's last-16 tie at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate must give Jude Bellingham a break for their Euro last 16 match.
Boom. I've put it out there. And I can feel the impact.
He was named the UEFA Young Player of the Season and also won the Kopa trophy for being the top player under 21 in the world of football. He surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in goals and assists at the beginning of his time at Bernabeu. He is the only player on the current England squad who is a Champions League winner and was instrumental in helping Real Madrid win a La Liga title and the Spanish Cup. He is considered the top player in England.
Why in the world would Southgate even think about benching him, especially when the team is at a crucial point in the competition where one loss could send England packing?
I didn't use the word "dropped." I said "rested." And there's an important distinction between the two.
Taking a chance that requires courage and careful planning, the England manager is making a bold move in pursuit of their final shot at winning a major international tournament. The team has made it clear that they came to Germany with one goal in mind: to win the European Championship. However, their success hinges on Jude Bellingham playing at his best. Currently, he is struggling and not performing at the level required for success.
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Bellingham turned 21 on Saturday, just before England's important last 16 match. If he gets to play in that game, it will be his 105th match in the last two seasons. This is a huge amount of football for any player. For a young and energetic player like Bellingham, who is not restricted in his playing style and can be found anywhere on the field, it is very demanding.
It's not shocking that after Southgate allowed him some additional rest before the tournament began, he performed exceptionally well against Serbia in the first game. He had a solid two weeks off between the Champions League final and the start of the Euros for England. He stood out with an outstanding performance, earning him the player of the match title. However, he seemed to lose some steam in the second half of the game. Unfortunately, besides a few impressive moments, he has been mostly unnoticed in the following two and a half matches.
Let's take a look at his stats in reverse order - they are not typical of Bellingham at all, and they are declining.
The third game ended in a draw, with England and Slovenia scoring no goals.
During the match in Cologne against Slovenia, he tried to dribble past opponents six times but was successful only once. He did not manage to create any scoring opportunities for his team. He engaged in nine physical duels, but only emerged victorious in two of them. He was able to regain possession of the ball just twice throughout the entire 90-minute game. Unfortunately, he also lost possession a total of 16 times, which was the highest among all the players on the England team. Surprisingly, he did not attempt any shots on goal during the match.
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Match Number Two: England and Denmark finished with a tied score of 1-1.
During England's second match against Denmark, there was a clear decrease in their performance. Bellingham only managed to create one opportunity and tried to dribble the ball seven times, succeeding in four of them. He was involved in 16 duels, winning six of them and regaining possession three times. However, he lost possession 10 times and did not take any shots on goal.
MATCH ONE: England defeats Serbia with a score of 1-0
During England's first game in Germany, Bellingham was the standout player for England. He was the one who scored the only goal in the game. Bellingham was very involved in the game, touching the ball 93 times which was more than any other England player. He also had an impressive passing completion rate of 96%. Bellingham attempted five dribbles, successfully completing two of them. He was involved in 16 duels and won 10 of them. Additionally, he was able to win possession back three times, but also lost possession 10 times. Overall, Bellingham's performance was crucial in England's victory.
The numbers are definitely showing that Bellingham is not performing well in Bellingham. His stats are decreasing in almost every category, and England really needs him to step up his game for the important part of this tournament.
Just think about the mental strain he must be under as well. He is already one of the top players at Real Madrid, possibly the most important. When you watch him play, you can see how much he controls and directs his teammates. Whether it's for his club or national team, he expects the best from everyone and isn't afraid to call out anyone who isn't meeting his high expectations. He is a true leader, always organizing and guiding those around him.
In this tournament, he is now part of the top leadership group for England for the very first time. At only 20 years old, he is working with Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Kieran Trippier in a special committee. These three players have a combined total of 199 senior England caps. Their role is to share the views of the rest of the team and have discussions with Southgate (and other FA officials, if necessary) on various topics like strategy changes and team policies on non-sporting matters.
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I have been informed by my connections that he often gives guidance to some of the latest additions to the England team, as well. The 20-year-old Bellingham acts as a mentor to newcomers like 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, 23-year-old Anthony Gordon, and 25-year-old Ebere Eze, offering advice if they have any questions or concerns.
During the games in Germany, one thing that stands out is how many times he has raised his arms in frustration while the game goes on around him. It's clear that some of this frustration comes from England not being able to control the ball and make opportunities. But there's also a feeling that he is desperate to improve his own performance.
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Bellingham is very hard on himself and even though he has always believed in himself, it's clear that he realizes he is not able to perform at his usual high level.
There are rumors in Spain that he will need surgery on his shoulder before the next season of La Liga begins. This information has not been confirmed, but if it is true, it could help explain Bellingham's physical health.
Here's my point: Let's bench him for now and hope that England advances further in the tournament. By then, Bellingham will be well-rested and able to showcase why he's one of the top players in the world.
What other option is there? Continuously criticize England's tired leader and exit the Euros quietly, during the beginning of the elimination matches.
Do I believe that Southgate will even think about it? No, I do not. However, I am concerned that he may end up wishing he had.
