Jude Bellingham shines as Roy Keane tips him for greatness
Jude Bellingham stars in England's 7-0 win over Croatia with a goal, three assists, and the captain's armband, earning high praise from pundits.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Jude Bellingham registers a goal and three assists in England's 7-0 demolition of Croatia
- Roy Keane hails the 23-year-old midfielder as having the potential to become an all-time great
- Harry Kane scores twice and closes in on Peter Shilton's all-time appearance record
- Thomas Tuchel praises Bellingham for reaching a new level after overcoming initial squad omission
The international journey of Jude Bellingham has taken a remarkable turn under manager Thomas Tuchel. Earlier in October 2025, the Real Madrid star was left out of the Three Lions squad, and his place at the World Cup came under scrutiny after the German coach publicly stated that no player would receive special treatment.
However, Bellingham responded in the best possible way on the pitch, finishing as England's top scorer with seven goals during the World Cup campaign as the team reached the semi-finals and secured a respectable third-place finish.
His recent masterclass in Rijeka during the Nations League match further elevated his status. Bellingham orchestrated England's historic 7-0 thrashing of Croatia—inflicting the heaviest defeat ever suffered by the Croatian national team. He scored once, provided a hat-trick of assists, and even wore the captain's armband toward the end of the match.
"Bellingham can go on to be one of the greatest players of all time. At this moment in time, he is an amazing footballer. The package – his running power, his delivery, his goal threat. The way he is progressing as a player, I still think there is a lot more to come from him."
Roy Keane
Speaking on ITV after the final whistle, former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane showered praise on the young midfielder, highlighting his exceptional physical attributes, passing ability, and continuous development on the international stage. Former England striker Ian Wright also commended Bellingham for his relentless work rate and constant threat inside the penalty box.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Jude Bellingham's meteoric rise highlights a significant tactical shift implemented by Thomas Tuchel. By demanding peak performance and moving away from relying solely on established reputations, Tuchel has successfully integrated dynamic young talent into the core of the squad. Bellingham's versatility allows him to dictate the tempo from deep or burst into the final third, giving England a multi-dimensional attacking threat that is exceptionally difficult for opponents to neutralize in major international fixtures.
The attacking quartet functioned seamlessly in Croatia, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka netting two goals apiece, while Anthony Gordon chipped in with a goal and an assist. Kane will soon turn his attention to Wembley stadium, where he has the opportunity to equal Peter Shilton's all-time men's appearance record for England in their upcoming match against the Czech Republic.
As Bellingham continues to break individual records and demonstrate leadership on the field, the Three Lions look well-equipped to sustain their competitive edge under Tuchel's tactical guidance moving forward into upcoming international tournaments.
Source: BBC Sport
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