Jude Bellingham doesn’t let England down and he’s only making them better, better, better…
The Three Lions weren’t perfect during their 3-0 win over Senegal, but Bellingham’s masterclass performance in the match could well go down as a World Cup performance for the ages.
In a matter of moments the precocious 19-year-old took the Round of 16 clash by the scruff of the neck to set England on their way to a perhaps undeserved 2-0 lead at half time.
A great run down the left-hand side was followed up by a excellent cut-back to Jordan Henderson, who slotted Gareth Southgate’s men in front on 38 minutes.
England had their tails up from that point and got their second in the final moments of stoppage-time of the first half when Harry Kane slammed the ball past Edouard Mendy, before Bukayo Saka rounded off the win shortly after the break.
Whether England played particularly well or if Senegal were sluggish is up for debate, however, the verdict on Bellingham’s display was unanimous from England players past and present.
On Bellingham’s performance, Phil Foden said: “I don’t want to big him up too much because he’s still young but he’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen.
“I don’t see a weakness in his game, I think he’s got everything. I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.”
Bukayo Saka said: “I always say he’s the future but he’s the present as well. Unbelievable.
“He was everywhere tonight, he was everywhere in the previous three games and I hope he can just keep it up.”
Meanwhile, former England international Gary Neville said: “It’s very rare you see a midfielder as comfortable on the ball in his own half as he is the attacking half.
“He looks like he can do everything. Is he a holding midfielder, is he an attacking midfielder? He does everything in one.
“Physically he’s fantastic. He’s so young but it’s the composure, the maturity and the fearlessness I can’t get my head around. I’ve watched players play for England for many years, the weight of the shirt is enormous. He just doesn’t feel it.
“He looks like he belongs out there, like he wants it, like he needs it in his life.”
Former England Women’s star Eniola Aluko told talkSPORT: “I don’t think he has a ceiling. I don’t think he’s doing what anyone else has done at his age in midfield.
“We’ve got an absolute superstar on our hands. His work rate, even just the little ugly bits – stopping, blocking, fouling, getting tackles in, he does it all. From an attacking point of view he gives England another dimension.
“You need a bit of edge. The best players have edge and I think he has controlled edge.
“I like that bite to him, that bit of grit, that Birmingham grit he’s got!”
And even Roy Keane, the hardest of critics, was left spellbound by what Bellingham produced.
Keane said: “I’ve not seen a young midfielder perform like that for years. You usually see that from a world-class midfielder who’s 26 or 27.
“Everything that he does, what goes on in his brain. He’s like a man, he’s got that maturity in his decision-making.
“End-product, final pass – the kind has everything.”
talkSPORT World Cup 2022 Coverage
talkSPORT is bringing you wall-to-wall coverage of the 2022 World Cup.
We are broadcasting all 64 games in the tournament live, with over 600 hours of coverage across our network.
You can tune in to talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com.
talkSPORT is widely available across the UK via DAB digital radio and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
You can also download the talkSPORT app, or ask your smart speaker to play talkSPORT.
