Calls for Gareth Southgate to step down have grown louder, with many believing he cannot handle this high-caliber team. Jude Bellingham, one of Southgate's most promising players, has tried to shoulder some of the criticism.
England entered the Euro Cup as one of the favorites, with a squad valued at an astounding €1.52 billion. However, their performance in the three group stage matches was far from impressive, scoring just two goals in total. Despite the star-studded attack led by Harry Kane, the team only managed ten shots on target. The matches were so lackluster that even England's own fans could be seen dozing off in the stands. Given these performances, merely advancing from the group stage is nothing to boast about, and expectations for the Three Lions to conquer Europe have significantly diminished.
Calls for Gareth Southgate to step down have grown louder, with many believing he cannot handle this high-caliber team. Jude Bellingham, one of Southgate's most promising players, has tried to shoulder some of the criticism. The Real Madrid star's performance in the group stage was disappointing, despite scoring one goal. He lost possession 26 times and was particularly ineffective against Slovenia, where he registered zero shots, zero chances created, and zero successful tackles, while losing possession 16 times – the highest in the team.
Bellingham did shine against Serbia, earning the Man of the Match award. Serbian captain Dusan Tadic remarked, "I believe he has all the qualities to win the next Ballon d'Or." However, his solitary successful dribble against Slovenia starkly contrasted with his previous performances, leading Slovenia to marvel at their unexpected advancement. Bellingham himself admitted, "I felt like I was dead."
At his best, Bellingham represents the future of English football, a potential Ballon d'Or winner. Yet, his recent struggles have tarnished his reputation, with even British media calling for Southgate to drop him from the starting lineup. However, at 17 years and 349 days, he became the youngest player in Euro Cup history to score a winning goal, a personal record that offers little solace given the team's overall struggles.
Bellingham is not a newcomer to the Euro Cup, having set the record as the youngest player to appear in the tournament at 17 years and 349 days, and helping England reach their first-ever Euro Cup final. Yet, in just three years, his trajectory has faltered. After a spectacular season with Real Madrid, winning both La Liga and the Champions League, he was expected to excel on the grand stage, only to regress unexpectedly. His frustration boiled over against Slovenia, where he berated teammates to "pass the ball" and displayed uncontrolled aggression, leading fans to quip, "Big talent, bigger temper."
Is Bellingham merely in a slump? His rise from Bundesliga Rookie of the Year to Best Player in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and then to Real Madrid's top player, suggested a seamless progression. His maturity surpassed expectations, winning Man of the Match in his debut La Liga, Champions League, and El Clasico games.
Don't forget, Bellingham also shone in the Qatar World Cup, scoring and assisting, becoming the youngest English player to start in a World Cup quarterfinal. His rapid development leads many to believe he will rebound. The Sun considers him crucial to England's Euro Cup success, with Cesc Fabregas stating, "He can change games."
However, some argue that Bellingham is weighed down by expectations, unable to lead England's star-studded lineup effectively. This flaw was evident in pre-tournament friendlies, such as the lackluster match against Iceland, where England managed just one shot on target.
This issue persisted into the Euro Cup, with Southgate unable to excuse his tactical shortcomings. Yet, England still has room to correct course, with calls for Cole Palmer to step up as a solution. England's Round of 16 opponent, Slovakia, is not a formidable barrier, but tactical missteps or Bellingham's repeated struggles could turn the Three Lions into paper tigers, intensifying media scrutiny.
Expectations for England remain high – not just to win, but to win in style. If they falter, Southgate, who has coached England for eight years, will be seen as the weak link, and Bellingham, valued at €180 million, as a mere star product. This perspective, though harsh, is a reality in the performance-driven world of sports, where every exalted manager or prodigy experiences such downfalls. For the 2003-born Bellingham, this is a crucial learning curve, potentially beneficial in the long run. Despite the current challenges, the young England star is not ready to deem this Euro Cup a failure prematurely: "I know our group stage performances were below par, but this game is a great chance for us to get back on track."
Will bold words turn into a punchline? One thing is certain – this is a match England cannot afford to lose, and it’s a redemption battle for Bellingham.
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