Gareth Southgate has announced that Jude Bellingham will not participate in the knockout stages of the Euros.

 

 Jude Bellingham, hailed as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or following a stellar debut season with Real Madrid, commenced his tournament journey with a flourish. His standout performance in England’s initial victory over Serbia showcased his talent and potential. However, as the tournament progressed, Bellingham’s form began to falter during England’s subsequent matches against Denmark and Slovenia. This downturn in his performance drew widespread criticism, prompting discussions about his role in the team.

The criticism reached a crescendo with calls from some quarters for England manager Gareth Southgate to consider benching Bellingham for the upcoming crucial last-16 clash against Slovakia. In response, Southgate chose to handle the situation discreetly, emphasizing that his conversations with Bellingham would remain private rather than being sensationalized in the media. He underscored the importance of team cohesion, explaining how the dynamics of the game sometimes necessitate changes in player roles to optimize the team’s performance.

Southgate acknowledged that Slovenia’s defensive strategy in particular had allowed England’s wingers to shine, singling out the performances of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and substitute Cole Palmer as positives. Despite these positive assessments, concerns persisted about Bellingham’s recent form. Football pundit and former England star Wayne Rooney joined the discourse during the Football Daily podcast, expressing his observations on Bellingham’s struggles.

Rooney highlighted that while Bellingham had started strongly, his performances had dipped noticeably in the subsequent matches. He pointed out instances of Bellingham’s visible frustration on the field, interpreting these gestures as signs of dissatisfaction stemming from high personal expectations and demands placed on his teammates. Rooney, known for his own passionate displays during his playing career, empathized with Bellingham’s desire to excel but cautioned against the potential repercussions of unchecked frustration.

Commenting further on Bellingham’s pivotal role within both the England and Real Madrid setups, Rooney noted the surprising silence surrounding the typically vocal midfielder. He speculated that Bellingham’s quieter demeanor might indicate underlying issues affecting