"Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time." Roy Keane said that after England's 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka, where Jude Bellingham scored one goal and set up three more. The Sky Sports pundit said the Real Madrid midfielder's work out of possession was part of what stood out in a "complete performance".
Keane's view of Bellingham
Keane said there is still more to come from Bellingham, and argued that his off-ball work helps lift the players around him. "His attitude for England recently...I have been praising him for being fantastic in possession, but what he is doing out of possession. That lifts all these players," he said, adding that a player of that quality and work rate will inspire the rest of the team.
Bellingham's output backed up the praise. He registered 13 goal involvements in his last 11 games since the start of the tournament, and his 9.25 rating against Croatia reflected a night where he influenced the game in every phase. Bukayo Saka also said Bellingham "was amazing tonight to be fair" and that he "deserved [England] player of the year".
The numbers behind the praise
The display was also part of a bigger England attack, not a lone effort. Saka scored twice and Harry Kane added two goals and one assist, while the Independent described Bellingham as having four goal involvements in the game. Sky Sports' report listed Croatia as 14th in the world, while the Independent put them 13th, but either way the result was a heavy one for the visitors.
England's final match of the international break is at home to Czech Republic on 6 October, with Bellingham now carrying Keane's sort of praise into that game.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
