29 June 2024 , 12:38
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Wayne Rooney has admitted he is "worried" about England star Jude Bellingham ahead of their Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia.
Bellingham came into the tournament off the back of a stunning debut year for Real Madrid, which saw him named player of the season after helping Carlo Ancelotti's side win the Champions League, LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup.
He began the Euros in impressive fashion, scoring the winner as England beat Serbia 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen, but he has made less of an impact in subsequent games against Denmark and Slovenia.
And Rooney is concerned that Bellingham might get himself sent off or do "something stupid" and get injured after noticing how the midfielder was unable to "hide his frustration" during the lacklustre 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
"Watching England against Slovenia, I focused on Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to try to understand how they are working together," Rooney wrote in a column for the Times. "What I saw left me worried.
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"Jude's body language told you a lot. Three or four times in the first half he could not hide his frustration. He was trying to lead things by running past Harry to pressure the ball, the Slovenians would pass round him and he'd find nobody was backing up his run.
"For an attacking player that's one of the worst feelings you can have. He was turning round to look at others and throwing his arms up. Body language like that sends a message to the fans, to his team-mates, to the manager.
Wayne Rooney is concerned about Jude Bellingham's body language (Visionhaus/Getty Images)"I've been there. I know exactly the position he's in. I found myself in that headspace many times in international football, and at certain points in my club career. I just hope the frustration doesn't boil over to the point where he gets a red card or does something stupid and gets himself injured.
"Against Slovenia, it looked as if he was getting close. Throughout this tournament, it has looked as if he has been trying too hard, and when you try too hard, you make decisions you don't normally make."
England return to Gelsenkirchen on Sunday to face Slovakia and if they are able to emerge victorious, a quarter-final clash against the winner of the match between reigning champions Italy and Switzerland awaits them.