Former England striker Ian Wright has launched a powerful defence of Jude Bellingham, suggesting that some critics are unprepared for the emergence of a confident black superstar in English football.
The Controversy Surrounding Bellingham
The debate ignited following England's World Cup qualifying victory against Albania last Sunday. Bellingham faced criticism for his reaction to being substituted during the match, with some commentators suggesting he might be a disruptive influence within the squad.
However, Wright sees a different narrative at play. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he presented a compelling argument about the underlying reasons for the scrutiny directed at the young midfielder.
Wright's Powerful Defence
"They cannot get to this guy. He is an achiever, he's a winner, he goes out and does it," Wright stated emphatically. He believes that with England having qualified for the World Cup with relative ease, critics are searching for new storylines to pursue.
Wright directly addressed what he perceives as a racial element in the criticism. "I don't think they're ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude is moving. They can't touch him," he asserted. "He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does. It's too uppity for these people."
The former Arsenal star drew a telling comparison between how different black players are received. "They all love N'Golo Kanté. He's a humble black man, gets on with what he's doing. But if you get a Paul Pogba or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with people."
Foreseeing the Criticism
In a revealing aside, Wright shared that he had actually warned Bellingham about the impending scrutiny. After Bellingham was recalled to the England squad for matches against Serbia and Albania, having been omitted in October, Wright sent the midfielder a prophetic message.
"I sent a message to Jude saying: 'Be ready.' Something was coming. It's like a tsunami," Wright explained. When Bellingham asked what was coming, Wright simply advised him to be prepared - and now believes that wave of criticism has arrived.
Wright concluded with a poignant observation about the exhausting nature of addressing these issues repeatedly. His defence highlights ongoing conversations about race, perception, and the different standards to which footballers of colour are often held in the modern game.
