Jude Bellingham has been showered in praise by some of England’s most prominent pundits after starring in the Three Lions’ 3-0 win over Senegal.
England booked their place in the quarter-finals against defending champions France after recovering from a shaky start to beat Senegal. The Africa Cup of Nations champions started brightly and fashioned three good chances before England responded.
Bellingham was central to their comeback, charging forward from midfield to tee up Jordan Henderson to make it 1-0. He was involved again as Harry Kane blasted in on the counter-attack, before Phil Foden crossed for Bukayo Saka to dink over Edouard Mendy and make the game safe.
Gary Lineker was one of those enthralled by Bellingham’s performance, with the 19-year-old midfielder brimming with confidence in everything he did. “Goodness me, @BellinghamJude is unbelievably good. He’s the leader in this team. His parents must be so proud. Love him,” Lineker wrote on Twitter after the opening goal.
“Sensational from @BellinghamJude again, he does everything, and @HKane gets his first goal of the tournament. Happy days,” he added after Kane made it 2-0.
The BBC football host was far from the only person to share their thoughts. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand simply tweeted: “Bellingham is top.”
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Jamie Carragher added: “Brilliant 2nd goal from England, great combination between the two most gifted players in the squad, Bellingham & Foden!”
Roy Keane was on punditry duties for ITV and the former Manchester United midfielder was extremely impressed with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s performance. “I’ve not seen a young midfielder play like that for years, normally you see one 26, 27,” he said.
“Everything in the game, we talk about what goes on in his brain, he’s like a man, that maturity, what’s going on upstairs is huge for a midfielder, decision-making, final pass. The kid has everything.”
Bellingham spoke to ITV after the final whistle to give his thoughts on the performance. “The first 35 minutes were tough, they were compact, tough to get through and really athletic,” he explained.
“They got in a few times down the side, so we needed to get the first goal and when we did we would be in a good position. The goal was really well worked, when H [Kane] drops deep, I know he can find anyone on the pitch, so I had to time it right and I know when I get into those areas I’m confident the boys around are taking up brilliant positions.
“I just had to feed any of them, I saw a bit of white in my periphery then gave the ball to where I thought it would be.”
