Bellingham sparks 'greatest of all time' talk after Croatia demolition
A year after his England place was in doubt, Jude Bellingham is being hailed as a potential all-time great following a standout performance in England's 7-0 win over Croatia.
Just a year ago, Jude Bellingham's England future looked uncertain after head coach Thomas Tuchel left him out of the squad in October 2025 and said he would receive no special treatment. Yet Bellingham went on to make the World Cup squad and emerged as England's standout player, scoring seven goals as the team reached the semi-finals and finished third.
On Saturday, Bellingham was central to England's 7-0 Nations League rout of Croatia in Rijeka — the heaviest defeat in Croatian football history. He scored once and set up three goals, and when captain Harry Kane was substituted late in the match, Bellingham took over the armband.
Former players full of praise
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane said on ITV that Bellingham could become one of the greatest players ever, pointing to his physical power, work rate and leadership. Former England defender Matt Upson said the 23-year-old is now a certainty to anchor England's midfield in the years ahead.
Harry Kane scored twice, Bukayo Saka also netted two goals, and Anthony Gordon both scored and assisted. Bellingham was directly involved in more than two goals in an England match for the first time in his career, and became the first player to register three assists in a single England game since Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2021.
Tuchel said that after England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, he had given players including Bellingham greater responsibility, while stressing the squad must keep developing rather than stand still. On Tuesday, Kane can equal Peter Shilton's all-time England appearance record when the team faces the Czech Republic at Wembley.
