“Many are talking about the Ballon d’Or, but I don’t see him as a world footballer” - Ex-Liverpool hero on Jude Bellingham hype
Didi Hamann doesn't see Jude Bellingham among the world's best players at the moment. The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to axe the 21-year-old from his lineup at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions have reached the quarter-finals, where they play Switzerland on Saturday (July 6). However, they have garnered criticism throughout their campaign for unappetizing performances.
In the three group matches, England managed only two goals and needed extra-time to beat Slovakia 2-1 in their last-16 clash on Sunday (June 30).
Following a stellar debut campaign with Real Madrid that culminated in a La Liga and Champions League double, Bellingham was expected to play a key role for his national side.
He's found the net twice for England in the ongoing tournament, including the 95th-minute equalizer against Slovakia on Sunday, which rescued his side from a humiliating championship exit.
Regardless, Hamann remains unconvinced with the young gun, so much so that he even played down the talks of Ballon d'Or. In his column for Sky Germany, the 50-year-old wrote (via GOAL):
"Between Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham only one can play and for me, that would be Foden. For me you have to take Bellingham out, Foden in the middle and then Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon on the flanks."
Hamann added:
"Bellingham was hyped after his first six months in Madrid. But he has only performed averagely for Real since Christmas. In the Champions League, he was barely seen in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. That’s why I’m not surprised by his performances at the European Championships."
"Bellingham is undoubtedly a good player, but he needs to confirm his performances from last year. Many are talking about the Ballon d’Or, but I don’t see him as a world footballer at the moment," he concluded.
Bellingham made his international debut with England in November 2020 in a friendly against Ireland. Since then, he's accumulated 32 more caps, bagging five goals and assists each.
Jude Bellingham is sure to start against Switzerland
England face underdogs Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals this weekend, and Jude Bellingham is sure to start again. Although his position was never in doubt, he reiterated his importance in the squad with the all-important equalizer against Slovakia.
In the fifth minute of added time, the Real Madrid star threw himself in the air to score a spectacular volley that kept England in the game and narrowly avoided a humiliating exit from the Euros.
Even when he's not scoring, Bellingham is seen cutting through defenses with his mazy runs and devastating link-up plays. He possesses a keen eye for passes too. Against the spirited La Nati side, who ousted defending champions Italy in the last-16, Southgate will be demanding more of the same from Bellingham.