“He’s got everything.”
Roy Keane doesn’t hand out compliments to just anyone, but England’s Jude Bellingham received high praise after his performance against Iran.
The former Manchester United captain is better known for his on screen monologues where he’s criticising teams and players, but this shows that the Irishman has a positive side too.
Bellingham scored the opening goal of England’s 6-2 thrashing of Iran, and controlled the midfield for the remainder of the game.
Keane sang lyrical about the 19-year-old’s performance on ITV.
“Absolutely amazing. I think he’s brilliant now, absolutely brilliant. He’s made a point there about adding more goals to his game at international level – he does score at club level.
“He plays with a maturity, he’s got everything you want in a midfielder in the middle of the park in terms of his physique, his maturity, his decision-making, his skill.
“This finish here [his goal against Iran] is fantastic. You remember all the brilliant England midfielders over the years – people like Bryan Robson, Scholesy, Lampard, Gerrard – if you can add that to your game, that final bit of having goals… as I said he’s a brilliant player anyway.
“His interviews afterwards, he comes across as very, very mature. The kid’s got everything.
“He’s one of them. He goes back to a few years ago when you talk about midfielders when you’re suppose to do a bit of everything.
"Absolutely amazing!"
Roy Keane didn't mince his words when talking about how good @BellinghamJude is… 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/H9C0xVXMWz
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022
“You’re supposed to help you’re back four. You’re supposed to be able to see a pass, you’re supposed to be able to pass it forward, you should have a goal in you.
“And on top of that, the real bonus is, he comes across as a really decent kid which you’ve got to give him credit for, and his family obviously.”
As positive as he was about England’s winning start, Keane said Gareth Southgate’s “biggest concern” was the ankle injury picked up by captain Harry Kane against Iran. The Tottenham star caught his ankle in a challenge but was able to play on. He was substituted with 20 minutes to play.
Related links:
- Roy Keane takes cut off England and Wales for One Love; armband U-turn
- We shouldn’t be here; Roy Keane takes a stand with incredible World Cup speech
- I thought he was the worst player; Agbonlahor tears into Gareth Bale’s performance
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