Wayne Rooney has suggested that one Manchester City player has had a better season than Jude Bellingham.
The 20-year-old could end his debut season with Real Madrid by winning the Champions League if the Spanish club beat his former side, Borussia Dortmund, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Having been named La Liga’s player of the season after helping Carlo Ancelotti’s side win another league title, this showcases how much of an impressive season the young midfielder has had in Spain.
Despite that, one former Premier League and England star has said that someone in Pep Guardiola’s squad has had a better season than Bellingham.
Rooney says Phil Foden has had a better season than Bellingham
Speaking in a recent edition of The Overlap, Rooney had this to say about Phil Foden on the topic of England rotating players to keep them fresh as a result of the strength in depth they have ahead of the upcoming European Championship in Germany.
He said: “I think in previous tournaments we’ve tended to go with that. I think [in] the last tournament, Harry was chasing the goal record. And I think if that weren’t there, it might have been a little bit easier to bring him off when the game is done or whatever and keep them a little bit fresher.
“But I would like to see us manage that a little bit better.
“We’ve got some players. For me, Foden has to play. He has to play and you look at him and Jude, obviously, Jude’s getting, I know Phil is, but Jude’s getting so many positive headlines.
“It’s almost like Foden’s going under the radar a little bit from it where I think Foden scored more goals and more assists than what Bellingham’s got this season, which I think Foden has to play.”
Foden vs Bellingham
In 53 appearances across all competitions this season, Foden scored 27 goals and supplied 12 assists as he helped City become the first side to win four Premier League titles in a row.
On the flip side, Bellingham has scored 23 goals this season but delivered the same number of assists in 41 appearances for Real.
This backs up Rooney’s point about the City star having a better season than his England teammate.
However, the fact that Foden was named the FWA’s player of the year and the Premier League’s player of the season showcases the recognition he’s had for his impressive efforts throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead to the Euros, we feel that both Foden and Bellingham could be key players for England and give Gareth Southgate’s side a great chance of winning the tournament.