Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has made his feelings clear about an England star who has appeared “very frustrated” at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
England have reached the knockout stages of the UEFA tournament after finishing top of Group C ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.
However, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has faced immense criticism over England’s performances ahead of the last 16.
England won their first Group C encounter thanks to Jude Bellingham’s first-half opener, but the Three Lions underwhelmed in their overall display against Serbia.
Following on from the 1-0 win against Serbia, Gareth Southgate’s men dropped costly points after they slipped up in a 1-1 draw against Denmark.
Harry Kane had opened the scoring for England inside 20 minutes before Morten Hjulmand produced a stunning equaliser in the 34th minute for Denmark.
England then played out a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday, with Southgate widely criticised for his tactics in the toothless performance.
A 0-0 draw between Serbia and Denmark ensured that England would remain top of Group C and secured their path to the round of 16.
Rooney on ‘frustrated’ England star at Euro 2024
England will return to action in their last-16 encounter with Slovakia at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, with all eyes on how Gareth Southgate handles the pressure.
Wayne Rooney, who has been a BBC Sport pundit for Euro 2024, singled out Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham for his tournament performances with England so far.
Aside from his winner against Serbia, Bellingham has underwhelmed for England in the Group C clashes against Denmark and Slovenia.
Southgate has preferred to play the 20-year-old Madrid midfielder as his No 10, all the while pushing Manchester City star Phil Foden out on the left.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily, Rooney said: “Jude starts the first game well but I’m sure he’d tell you himself he hasn’t the best games in the last two games.
“For me, he’s looked very frustrated, I’ve been there exactly the position he’s in, even the game yesterday, you saw him throwing his arms up in the air.
“As a talisman for England and Real Madrid, I haven’t heard him speak. What is the reason for that?
“As one of the iconic players now for England in the squad, he should be fronting that.
“That tells me that he’s probably not quite right in the tournament.”
Rooney talks Bellingham and England
Bellingham had an impressive debut season with Real Madrid after his sensational £88.5m move from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.
The Los Blancos star was widely tipped to play an influential role for England at this summer’s Euros, but Bellingham has failed to deliver for the Three Lions.
Rooney has admitted that Bellingham, who lifted a La Liga title and a Champions League with Madrid, has been “giving it his all” for England at Euro 2024.
However, the Manchester United and England legend added that he wants to see the Three Lions players ‘demand’ more from their teammates.
“He’s [Bellingham] giving it his all, 100 per cent, I don’t think that’s the problem,” Rooney continued.
“You want players demanding more from their teammates, and I think that’s what he was trying to do.
“So, it’s not a criticism, it is a compliment in some ways but you just don’t want that to boil over to the point where he might pick up a silly red card.”