UEFA Euro 2024: Worrying stats prove Jude Bellingham must break free from weight of expectations

New Delhi: Jude Bellingham has established himself as one of the most talented players in the world, with his wonderful Laliga season for Real Madrid where he scored a total of 19 goals all season, that too playing as a midfielder. These stats were remarkable, but besides the stats, his technical eligance, goal scoring ability and wonderful playmaking skills make him a fun player to watch. He never looked like he needed to adapt to Ancelotti’s tactics as he became an integral part of the squad that lifted the Laliga as well as the champions league trophy.

The fans had high expectations from him, playing in the England jersey, and he managed to carry that form and meet the expectations in the first match against Serbia where he scored a strong header to give England the lead in a game where both the sides faced a limp in creativity and finishing. However, England have looked like a team with no urgency and the willingness to attack isn’t there on the pitch with England scoring just twice in the group stages.

They are having had a disappointing campaign under Southgate despite progressing through to the knockouts, as their performances in the last two group stage matches lacked the inventiveness on the pitch. In the second group stage match, the Slovenians had their own plans of resisting the threat produced by the English attackers, by playing deep into their own half and avoid making silly defensive errors, but England produced next to no threat as they lacked the creativity and the finishing touch throughout the match.

Despite England topping the group, there have been some major concerns regarding Southgate’s tactics and his style of play as these two performances suggested that the English attackers are showing no urgency to score. With attacking quality of players such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and many more, it is hard to believe that England have only managed to score two goals in the group stages.

Bellingham’s shocking performances

Bellingham had a positive start to his Euro campaign after scoring the only goal against Serbia that led his side to victory. However, since the first matchday, his performances have dipped considerably as he looks no where close to the level he was playing for his club Real Madrid. It seems like Southgate’s tactics have not benefitted the midfielder’s style of play which becomes a major factor in England’s future performances.

Bellingham has produced a couple of disappointing performances in England’s previous group stage games against Denmark and Slovenia. Specifically in the game against Slovenia, he had no shots on target, zero chances created, no successful tackles and shockingly lost possession 16 times, more than anyone else in the team.

It is clear to see that the system he is playing in, has not quite worked out for him and the players around. His style of play under Carlo Ancelotti is completely different to Southgate’s tactics which according to many, have failed miserably. The Laliga player of the year, has the freedom down the midfield whenever he plays for Real Madrid but somehow under Southgate, he has been playing quite deeper than his usual position that restricts him to cause any sort of attacking menace in the opposition box.

His role in the Real lineup allows him to put the ball forward as he gets the option to put the ball forward thanks to some deadly runs from the flanks by Vinicius and Rodrygo. The English Midfielder gets the freedom to move forward playing as an attacking midfielder role and participate in the forward moves.

However, when he plays under Southgate, he certainly has the quality on both the flanks with Foden on the left and Saka on the right, but they too are bound to follow the defensive play instead of attacking that leaves Bellingham with no choice but to play it short and simple.

Southgate’s style of play has been a problem for Bellingham in the past, where he has played as a central midfielder and now has adapted to that role whenever he plays for England. He has adapted to this playing style where his role involves playing deep, orchastrating the midfield with his playmaking abilities and playing him in an advanced position with the exact same role as a central midfielder seemingly hampering his output.

Can they fix this issue?

Gareth Southgate needs to make some major changes in his tactics where an attacking approach is very much needed at this point. England will certainly need a different approach against more attack minded teams such as France, Germany and Portugal, where they have to bring up their attacking game and Bellingham will be playing a major role in the midfield role.

In order to get the best out of Bellingham’s attacking abilities, Southgate needs to give him the freedom to roam around the opposition box and leave the defensive duties to the midfielders behind him playing in the double pivot role. Besides, the overall approach has to change that would involve other players around him making incisive runs towards the opposition box so he can provide more opportunities for them.

However, Bellingham has to be given the chance to move freely and do what he is good at. This England side has great potential and their attackers need to step up and make the most out of the opportunities they can create. Southgate has to up his tactical game and provide the players with the freedom up front in order to get the best possible results.

 Jude Bellingham is having a shocker of a Euro campaign as being the main man for England, his performances haven’t been anywhere close to the expectations.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today