European Football Championship - Shines and annoys: Bellingham as a great EM figurehead
Jude Bellingham spread his arms wide and clearly uttered two words that hardly represent his EURO experiences from Germany better than these: "Who else?"
Who else should keep England's title dreams alive in the 95th minute of an eight-finale after 58 years of sadness? Who else should receive this memorable and acrobatic goal-line save for all the recaps of this tournament?
Bellingham has become a football world star at a young age. The Champions League winner of Real Madrid is undoubtedly a class above any doubt. However, many experts and spectators question his self-confidence with him at this EURO.
Obscene Gesture after Goal
Bellingham is perceived as extremely arrogant by many. "He's only 21 years old. Jude is still a young lad and reacts accordingly", defended National Coach Gareth Southgate of Bellingham's statements after the memorable 2:1 in extra time against Slovakia in the EURO eight-finale in Gelsenkirchen.
His participation in the upcoming quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday (18.00 Uhr/ZDF and MagentaTV) even risked his behavior. Because he indicated a gesture towards his own genitals after his spectacular goal, UEFA is investigating the young star.
For Bellingham himself, it was all half as wild. He did not want to provoke the Slovakian bench with the obscene gesture but only wanted to send a greeting to a few friends in the stands. "That was a wink to a few of my friends who were in the stadium", he explained.
Observers notice a change
This is the first time the Youngster is making the experience of standing in the spotlight at a major tournament for the English. "The pressure is enormous, the fans expect a lot, people talk a lot", Bellingham let slip in his shirt after the extremely fortunate progress against outsider Slovakia. For him, it was "nice" to pay some people back.
The statements on the press podium, the gestures towards teammates, and the behavior on the pitch: Bellingham is not winning over many fans at this EURO. "I hope he reflects a bit during the summer break. I'm not the only one who thinks, sometimes he annoys", said ZDF expert Christoph Kramer. People who have experienced Bellingham up close in Dortmund and now see him again at the EURO made similar observations a year after his departure from BVB. A dominant demeanor he had already shown back then, but it was not yet as pronounced.
Bellingham is more than just an outstanding talented star. He is an underwear model for Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, does advertising for Adidas, and is always in demand as a conversation partner. At Real Madrid, he wore the number five of former world-class player Zinedine Zidane from the start. At the EURO, his immense maturity, which was previously granted to him, is put to the test for the first time.
"He delivers in the big moments"
"He's naturally a standout player, he just needs to be careful not to start getting carried away at such a young age. What I find really bad is when you wink at your own teammates. He had a few gestures in there, even in the last games", criticized Kramer.
From their own teammates or Chief Coach Southgate, there has been criticism so far, but instead there is gratitude. The players of the Three Lions celebrated in unison and led by Captain Harry Kane, their hero, who saved the Euro tournament. "He delivers in the big moments. That was one of the best goals in the history of our country", praised Kane.
Fitness concerns for Bellingham and Kane
Apart from the genius play and the goal against Serbia in the first EM game, Bellingham's tournament performance has been inconsistent so far. The versatile midfielder loses an unusual number of two-on-one battles and has hardly any connection to English football. After a long season with Real including the Champions League triumph, Bellingham seems burnt out. "Yesterday I really felt dead", said the ex-Dortmund player after the energy-sapping 0:0 against Slovenia.
Southgate wanted to substitute exceptional players Bellingham - as well as the equally weak captain Kane - after 75 minutes against the Slovakians. He let it be, the rest was British football history. "We know they are capable of doing what they have done", described Southgate.
- Despite facing criticism for his behavior and gestures, Jude Bellingham will represent England in the upcoming quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday.
- Gareth Southgate, the national coach of England, defended Bellingham's actions after the memorable EURO eight-finale against Slovakia.
- Many spectators and experts question Bellingham's self-confidence, despite his successful career at Real Madrid and prominent status in soccer.
- UEFA is investigating Bellingham for an obscene gesture he made after scoring a goal in the EURO eight-finale, despite his explanation that it was a greeting to friends.
- Bellingham admitted that the pressure and expectations at EUROs are immense, but he enjoys the chance to pay back some people.
- Christoph Kramer, a ZDF expert, expressed hopes that Bellingham will reflect on his behavior during the summer break and tone down his actions.
- Observers have noticed a change in Bellingham's demeanor at EUROs, as he had shown dominant behavior earlier in his career.
- Bellingham has achieved success in various forms outside of soccer, such as being an underwear model for Kim Kardashian and advertising for Adidas.
- England's captain, Harry Kane, praised Bellingham for his performance in the big moments and his memorable goal against Slovakia, despite fitness concerns for both players after a long season with Real Madrid.
