Former Real Madrid and England boss Fabio Capello compared Jude Bellingham to Lionel Messi – but there is one issue for the Three Lions.
Bellingham has transformed into a superstar since signing for Real Madrid last summer for Borussia Dortmund, where he scooped the Laureus award for breakthrough star on Monday evening.
The 20-year-old has quickly settled into life at the Bernabeu, where he has scored 21 times this season – including a last-gasp winner against Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday.
Many England fans are desperate to see the midfielder light up Euro 2024 this summer in Germany with some believing that Gareth Southgate‘s men can go all the way.
And ex-Real and England boss Capello counts himself among the fans, even comparing Bellingham to Messi in terms of the impact he already has had.
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, the legendary Italian said: “Only the super players can play like him at this age – (Lionel) Messi and some others.
“It was an incredible performance that I saw in a really important game like El Clasico because he was very good on every part of the pitch.
“He ran back and covered the ball. The fans understand a lot of this.
“As supporters they know this player wants to win. He runs and fights.”
While Capello believes England could clinch glory this summer at Euro 2024, he believes Southgate has one glaring problem – his goalkeeper.
The Three Lions have a wealth of attacking options at their disposal but Jordan Pickford has been singled out for criticism.
“I like England,” he said. “It’s really strong in every part of the team, their midfielders and forwards the best: Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka.
“I think at centre-back [there’s] some problems and it’s not the same level as the other part of the team.
“Midfield is good, forwards are really good, right and left defenders is good. I have some doubts about these two centre-backs and some doubts about the goalkeeper.”
Pickford has been England’s No. 1 since the 2018 World Cup and has since made 60 caps for the Three Lions, more than David James, Chris Woods and Paul Robinson.
However, Capello insisted that Pickford might have been stricken by fear after going long during the Euro 2020 final, which saw England lose to Italy on penalties.
“Sometimes, he’s really, really good. Sometimes, it is the problem,” Capello added.
“I saw the game that they lost against Italy, the final at Wembley. After 20 minutes, he started to shoot long ball. Is this fear?”
England get their Euro 2024 campaign underway on June 16 when they face Serbia before further group stage matches against Denmark and Slovenia.