“He’s looked very frustrated” : Wayne Rooney gives his assessment on Jude Bellingham’s performance at the 2024 Euros

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has given his honest opinion on Jude Bellingham. He believes that the English midfielder looks very frustrated at the Euros. The Real Madrid midfielder started off the Euros in style, scoring within the first 15 minutes of the first match against Serbia.

However, he has not been up to the mark in the following two matches against Denmark and Slovenia. That has somewhat also impacted the result of the two matches, as both of have ended in draws. However, the Three Lions managed to have a safe passage into the knockouts, finishing on top of their group, with a win, and two draws to their name.

Wayne Rooney believes that Jude Bellingham has been putting in the efforts, and he has been demanding more from his teammates. England have scored just two goals in the tournament so far, as the pressure has been mounting on Gareth Southgate and his side.

“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,” Rooney told the Football Daily podcast.

“For me he’s looked very frustrated, I’ve been there exactly the position he’s in, even the game yesterday, you saw him throwing his arms up in the air. As a talisman for England and Real Madrid, I haven’t heard him in speak. What is the reason for that? As one of the iconic players now for England in the squad, he should be fronting that. That tells me that he’s probably not quite right in the tournament,” said Rooney.

Wayne Rooney says Jude Bellingham is giving his 100% at the Euros

Wayne Rooney remains wary of the threat that Jude Bellingham could pick up a red card if he remains frustrated on the pitch. In terms of the midfielder’s efforts, Wayne Rooney has no complaints there, and believes he is giving it his all.

“He’s giving it his all, 100%, I don’t think that’s the problem. You want players demanding more from their team-mates, and I think that’s what he was trying to do. So, it’s not a criticism, it is a compliment in some ways but you just don’t want that to boil over to the point where he might pick up a silly red card,” Rooney added.

England will now face Slovakia in their last 16 clash. Slovakia finished third in Group E, where all teams finished on four points. The Three Lions are expected to progress into the quarterfinals, where they could face Italy, a repeat of the 2021 Euros final.

England have an easier path to the finals, given that the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France are all in the other half of the draw. England were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Slovenia in their last league game fixture, as Gareth Southgate attracted more criticism after yet another dismal performance.

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