England secured the perfect start to their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday with Jude Bellingham at his brilliant best, starring against a Serbia midfield that included a player Leeds United wanted in 2023.
Bellingham, 20, was enigmatic. Just a couple of weeks after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, the England star opened the scoring with a header inside the first 15 minutes at Gelsenkirchen.
It proved to be the only goal of the game, as England dominated the first half without creating a huge amount of chances and then having to defend against a much-improved Serbia side after the break.
Bellingham was a one-man show in the first half. The former Birmingham City man simply everywhere, whether it be on the edge of his own box making tackles or eight yards out, heading into the top corner.
England’s no.10. came up against a midfield that included former Lazio man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the attacking role. Deeper in midfield and trying to keep Bellingham quiet, Nemanja Gudelj and Sasa Lukic.
Leeds wanted to sign Serbia man Sasa Lukic in January 2023
Rewind 18 months, Leeds were trying to bring in some midfield steel to help them in their fight against relegation from the Premier League. In the end of course, they signed Weston McKennie from Juventus.
That did not go to plan, while 27-year-old Lukic moved to Fulham for a fee of £9m. Lukic hasn’t had much of a better time at Fulham, playing just 41 times in all competitions and starting only 21 of those games.
But ahead of the January window, it was claimed that Leeds were leading the race to land Lukic from Serie A side Torino. Of course, a move didn’t happen and Lukic went to Fulham – perhaps, dodging a bullet.
Bellingham embarrassed Lukic, especially in the first half
Bellingham was always going to tire towards the end of the game having had such a long campaign with Madrid and certainly, he was taken off after 86 minutes. But in the first half, he ran rings around Lukic.
Gudelj, too. Indeed, the latter was taken off at the break having picked up a yellow card and Lukic was not far behind him, trudging off the pitch after an hour. Bellingham had made him look distinctly average.
Easing past both Lukic and Gudelj throughout, Bellingham also won the physical battle against the duo. He scored the goal, and was easily the best player on the pitch but Lukic could not get near Bellingham.
The former Dortmund man made it feel as though Lukic was not even playing, certainly it is hard to even remember anything meaningful Lukic did and if Leeds were keen, we should be glad Fulham got him.