Football News Update: Rest for Jude Bellingham in Euro 2024 Last 16?
As the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament reaches its critical knockout stages, England manager Gareth Southgate faces a tough decision regarding his star midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham, the UEFA Young Player of the Season and Kopa Trophy winner, has been a standout performer for both Real Madrid and the England national team. However, the 20-year-old’s heavy workload is starting to catch up with him, and Southgate may need to consider resting him for England’s last 16 showdown.
The young midfielder has already played 105 matches in the past two seasons, a staggering amount for a player of his age. In England’s recent group stage matches, Bellingham’s statistics have declined, with a drop-off in his typically dominant performances.
“It would be a brave and calculated gamble for an England manager who is surely having one last tilt at international silverware,” said the source. “England came to Germany to win the European Championship, and I don’t think they can do that without Bellingham firing on all cylinders.”
Southgate and his staff will have to weigh the risks and benefits of resting Bellingham for the crucial knockout match. While the young star is undoubtedly England’s best player, the manager may need to consider the long-term implications of overworking him, especially with the FIFA World Cup later this year and the 2024 European Championships on the horizon.
The decision to rest Bellingham could be a pivotal moment in England’s quest for their first major tournament triumph since 1966. With the team’s ambitions clear, Southgate must carefully manage his star player’s minutes to ensure England have the best chance of success in the latter stages of the competition.
🔗 Source