Former England captain Wayne Rooney has conveyed his apprehension regarding the visible frustration exhibited by midfielder Jude Bellingham during Euro 2024. The 20-year-old Real Madrid player, who secured the only goal in England’s initial Group C match against Serbia, has encountered obstacles in leaving a lasting impact in subsequent matches against Denmark and Slovenia.
In a recent interview on the Football Daily podcast, Rooney commented, “Jude starts the first game well but I’m sure he’d tell you himself he hasn’t the best games in the last two games.” He further observed Bellingham’s discernible frustration during the matches, stating, “You saw him throwing his arms up in the air. As a talisman for England and Real Madrid, I haven’t heard him speak. What is the reason for that? As one of the iconic players now for England in the squad, he should be fronting that.” Rooney also underscored the significance of Bellingham’s role, expressing his hope that the young midfielder would not succumb to unnecessary pressure and potentially risk receiving a red card.
In addition to Bellingham’s struggles, England’s performance in their recent matches has given rise to criticism from pundits and former players. Captain Harry Kane has called for more positivity from the media, while manager Gareth Southgate has highlighted the challenging environment created by criticism and fan reactions.
Rooney has also queried Southgate’s squad selection, specifically the exclusion of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. He expressed astonishment and consternation at Chilwell’s omission, particularly emphasising the necessity of a left-footed player to provide equilibrium to the team. Rooney voiced concerns about the positional conundrums surrounding players like Phil Foden and the overall balance of the team, highlighting the intricacies in team selection.
The concerns raised by Rooney and other former players shed light on the hurdles faced by the England squad at Euro 2024. With the tournament ongoing, it remains to be seen how Bellingham and the team as a whole will negotiate through these challenges in pursuit of success on the international stage.