Former Germany star Didi Hamann thinks a potential ban for Jude Bellingham could be a ‘blessing’ for England ahead of their Euro 2024 showdown with Switzerland on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has scored twice for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, helping them reach the last eight despite their unconvincing displays.
But England are currently sweating on Bellingham’s availability for the match with Switzerland after UEFA decided to investigate the youngster over a gesture he made after England’s 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday.
Bellingham denies any wrongdoing and says it was simply an ‘inside joke’.
Jude Bellinghan is at risk of a ban ahead of England’s Euro 2024 clash with Switzerland
REUTERS
He is expected to be fined, rather than banned, but concerns still remain.
And Hamann, speaking to BILD, believes a potential suspension for Bellingham could actually be a ‘blessing’ for England.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool star said: “Gareth Southgate should have made the decision earlier to take out Bellingham or Phil Foden.
“Now he may be forced to be lucky if Bellingham is suspended.
“If he has to sit out, that might even be a blessing. That might even help the team. Something has to happen.”
Bellingham scored a terrific bicycle kick on Sunday as England battled their way past Slovakia.
After his goal, the riled-up Real Madrid star said ‘who else?’ to supporters inside the ground.
But Hamann wasn’t impressed by his behaviour and says Bellingham has been missing in action at Euro 2024 so far.
“I don’t like this behaviour,” he said.
“There was his statement two and a half years ago in Dortmund about referee Felix Zwayer, where he got away with a fine, but in my opinion, should have been banned.
“Without your colleagues you are nothing – and if he then stands up and says that, then I would be interested to hear what his teammates say.
“Apart from his goals, he was not seen in the first four games.
“I would wait and see where he is in two or three years.
“We don’t need to talk about the fact that he is a talented player, but some things have happened that you shouldn’t do.”
Hamann also thinks Bellingham’s ego seems to be starting to spiral out of control.
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He is a player very much on the up after winning both LaLiga and the Champions League with Real Madrid last season.
But Hamann is concerned and says the 21-year-old is ‘starting to believe his own fairy tales’.
“Bellingham is starting to believe his own fairy tales, he needs to be careful,” he said.
“I think there is definitely a danger that Jude Bellingham is starting to believe his own fairy tales.
“There was his celebration and then when he walked past the Slovakia bench, he did something that offended them.
Jude Bellingham has been training with England ahead of their Euro 2024 showdown with Switzerland
REUTERS
“He said afterwards that it was a private joke aimed at his friends who were sitting near them.
“I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I think he’s got to be careful because in the first game, he ran into Kostić after he won the tackle, and he was lucky not to get booked for that.
“He’s got to leave them things out because there’s always someone bigger than you and the other players will watch his antics.
“I think he’s got to be very careful because the one thing you shouldn’t do is disrespect your opponents.
“Against Slovakia, he made his excuses, but it wouldn’t have been the first time that something has happened with him. Somebody has to tell him it’s needless and he should cut it out.”