England secured top spot in Group C at Euro 2024, but their 0-0 draw against Slovenia left more questions than answers. A particular concern was the subdued performance of young midfielder Jude Bellingham vs Slovenia.
Bellingham, who burst onto the scene with a winning goal in England’s opening match, had a night to forget against Slovenia. The stats paint a worrying picture:
0 shots: Bellingham failed to register a single attempt on goal throughout the entire match.
0 chances created: His influence in the attacking third was minimal, with no key passes or opportunities created for teammates.
0 successful tackles: Defensively, he was unable to disrupt Slovenia’s play, failing to record a single successful tackle.
0 passes completed into the attacking third: Bellingham struggled to progress the ball into dangerous areas, with none of his passes finding a teammate in the final third of the pitch.
12% forward passes: Only a meager 12% of his passes were even aimed at moving the ball forward, highlighting a lack of attacking intent.
22% duels won (worst on team): Bellingham was easily outmuscled in midfield battles, finishing with the lowest duel success rate of any England player.
16 times possession lost (most on team): His night was compounded by giving the ball away a staggering 16 times, the highest of any player on the pitch.
This follows a concerning trend for Bellingham throughout the Euros. Across all three group stage matches, he’s only managed one shot and created just one chance for his teammates.
Cause for Concern?
Bellingham’s struggles are a worry for England manager Gareth Southgate. The 19-year-old is a crucial part of the team’s midfield, known for his energy, passing range, and ability to break up play. His dip in form comes at a critical time, with the knockout stages just around the corner.
Possible Explanations
Several factors could be contributing to Bellingham’s underwhelming performances:
Fatigue: A demanding club season followed by a busy international schedule could be taking its toll.
Tactics: Southgate’s tactics might be stifling Bellingham’s natural attacking instincts.
Opposition tactics: Opponents might be focusing on nullifying Bellingham’s influence.
Looking Ahead
Southgate and his coaching staff will need to find a way to reignite Bellingham’s spark. England needs their young star firing on all cylinders if they want to challenge for the Euro 2024 title.
What do you think? Is Bellingham’s dip in form a cause for concern? Follow WorldSport24 for the latest updates.
